McCarthy Stone, the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, has launched its new retirement village in the centre of Wimborne, Dorset. The new community will bring 100 new specialist retirement properties to the market town.

The new community, with a total GDV of £45m, features 68 apartments, 22 bungalows and 10 chalets, all specifically designed for the over 65s. The properties will be offered for outright sale and shared ownership.

The show complex opens on 3 May for the bungalows and for the rest of the development in June. First occupations will be in the autumn.

The scheme also features extensive community facilities, including a large homeowners’ lounge and bistro, a multi-function room, and a ‘village green’ garden, alongside an on-site CQC-registered care and support team provided by McCarthy Stone.

Brendon O’Neill, Divisional Managing Director for McCarthy Stone’s Southern region, said:

“Retirement communities free up larger homes for families and deliver significant economic benefits. However, supply simply isn’t keeping up with demand – there’s 12.5 million people aged 65 and over in the UK, and not enough suitable options for them to move to when they need more help and support. We’re therefore delighted to see the progress of our new retirement village in Dorset and provide much-needed housing and care options for older people in the area. We look forward to seeing its benefits ripple out into the local community.”

 McCarthy Stone operates 530 retirement communities across the UK, including 120 housing with care schemes. Many developments feature apartments and bungalows, but the Wimborne scheme will be the first time its care offering will be integrated across both products. It is also one of the largest developments the organisation has brought forward. All of the properties will be in McCarthy Stone’s Retirement Living PLUS range (a form of Extra Care housing).