Exeter Consultation Boards

Overview

Welcome to Adlington Retirement Living’s consultation on the proposals for 69 retirement apartments with care on land at The former Royal Academy for Deaf Education, Topsham Road Exeter.

This consultation provides local residents and businesses with the opportunity to view the proposals, and submit any feedback before the planning application is submitted.

Award-winning communities

Adlington Retirement Living designs, builds and operates retirement living communities with care. Our innovative, spacious apartments don’t just win over homeowners and their families: they also win the recognition of our industry peers.

We have built award-winning retirement communities in Otley, Portishead, Macclesfield, and Stockport, recognised at the National WhatHouse? Awards for “Best Retirement Development in the UK”, as well as “Best Development” at the 2022 Health Investor awards. With over 1000 current homeowners we continue to develop new communities across the North West, Yorkshire, the Midlands and South West.

Our vision is to empower the older generation to live a long, happy and healthy life, by providing a valuable product and service, therefore reducing the ever growing strain on the NHS.

Our product and services

The retirement community will consist of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom private apartments with extensive communal facilities, high quality landscaped gardens with summer house and car parking, and will include:

Adlington Retirement Living work with Registered Care Providers to provide care in the comfort of each home. Homeowners purchase their own apartment and live independently but have the reassurance of 24-hour on-site support team 365 days a year. Tailored personal care packages are also available, as required. This model of elderly accommodation is ideally suited to individuals, or couples who wish to continue living together in a situation where one, or both, have care needs.

The Adlington development will offer manageable, accessible, warm homes with low running costs. Owing to the design of the building there is less risk of falls and accidents. Our active community and services also offer a social life that protects against isolation and loneliness.

Table service restaurant, coffee lounge and homeowners lounge

Hairdressing salon and therapy suite

Patios, balconies and landscaped gardens

On-site team 24/7, guest suite and staff facilities

Ample car parking with disabled spaces and EV charging points, plus internal mobility scooter store

Activities studio

Specialist housing need

The number of people aged over 65 is forecast to rise over the next decade, from the current 10.8 million people, to 13.8 million by 2035, a 27% rise. This means that approximately one in five of the UKs total population will be over 65 in 10 years time, which will become one in four by 2050.

It is therefore unsurprising to note that the need to provide suitable housing stock for our ageing population is described by the government as ‘critical’. The provision of age appropriate housing is of critical importance to the health of individuals and has profound impacts on public spending, particularly adult social care, and the NHS.

In the Local Housing Needs Assessment: Report of Findings for Exeter published in September 2022, the council identified that:

2,647 Units

133 Units

Planning History of Site

The site has planning permission for 84 retirement apartments including communal facilities, access, car parking and landscaping. This was approved at appeal in October 2022.

Adlington is proposing a similar development, with minor alterations and a reduction in the number of apartments from 84 to 69. The reduction in the number of apartments is due to the fact that Adlington communities are classified as Use Class C2 Extra Care developments, which have additional requirements for communal space, apartment mix, and subtle changes needed to the internal and external configuration.

The site plans demonstrate the similarity, in terms of building footprint, between what is now proposed and what was previously permitted.

Churchill Site Plan

Adlington Plan

Boundaries

• The existing mature tree to the North West corner is to be retained, as well as much vegetation cover to Weirfield Rd as possible.

• Boundary treatment and vegetation to be enhanced.

Amenity Space

• A large proportion of the site is landscaped and vegetation is prioritised for a net gain of biodiversity from the current site conditions.

• Lower ground floor locates the internal amenities that spill out onto the external courtyard landscape..

History of Topsham Masterplan

• The proposed development ties into the approved masterplan development (application 17/1640/FUL) developed by Acorn Property Group, Castleoak Care Developments and ERADE.

Layout of the Building

• The building has been set back from Weirfield Rd to reduce overlooking and maintain the building line of the adjacent car home.

• A central South facing courtyard has been designed to maximise access for residents to the external and internal amenities at the heart of the development.

• The split level proposal utilises the site topography whilst ensuring all sides are accessible.

Car parking and servicing

• Circa 28 car parking spaces communal parking spaces are provided for the retirement community, each individual space to have an EV charging point.

• 4 car parking spaces (labelled A,B, and D) have been allocated for Weirfield Road residents, Internal mobility scooter and bicycle store provided.

Site Access

• Existing North access drop off point from Topsham Road for services, deliveries and shoppers with access to the Ground Floor.

• Recently constructed access from Weirfield road will be shared between the adjacent care home and proposed retirement building.

• The proposed footpath will be complete the masterplan pedestrian access West to East, connecting the development to the new residential housing.

Proposals and Design

• Total number of apartments reduced from 84 to 69.

• Relocation of main entrance at lower ground floor - Allows for a better internal arrangement and enhances the landscaping arrival experience and courtyard relationship.

• Change from ‘sheltered housing’ to Use Class C2 extra care.

• Significant increase to quantity and quality of communal spaces: communal space now covers 60% of the ground floor area.

• Balconies in alternative locations and are smaller in size

Proposals and Design

The proposed scheme replicates the scale and massing of the approved planning permission as well as its architectural style. The palette of materials and detailing ties into the wider ERADE masterplan area and will compliment them.

The images above show existing details within the conservation area and how they have been interpreted to provide a contemporary reference.

1 – Main body of the building - Buff brick

2 – Feature brickwork – Darker brick

3 – Anthracite window frames

4 – Anthracite steel balconies with glass balustrades

Benefits

Employment

Additional jobs created in Exeter during construction and when operational

Economic

Additional spending in the area which will support local businesses and services

Release of family housing

Free up family housing in the market, which is often under-occupied

NHS and social care savings

Less risk of falls, reduced GP visits, hospital admissions and care home costs

Social

Promotes social interaction, peace of mind, stability, comfort and security which protects against isolation and loneliness

Sustainabilty

Through the provision of high quality landscaping and enhancements to biodiversity there will be a significant net gain for biodiversity on the site. The building will utilise sustainable construction and design techniques

Next steps

21 June 2023

Deadline for feedback

July 2023

Submission of planning application

Winter 2023

Anticipated decision on planning application

Thank you for taking the time to view the information about our proposed development. Please send your feedback via email to:

topshamroad-comments@adlington.co.uk

Alternatively, please send your feedback to:

Planning Team, Adlington House, Alexandria Way, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 1LB.