Perfect Circle appointed to £9M retirement scheme in Chorley

Work on the Primrose Gardens Retirement Village, located in Chorley town centre, started earlier this year and will see a former car park transformed with the addition of a new 65-bed apartment scheme. The consortium has been appointed for the scheme by Chorley Council.

Head of building surveying at Pick Everard, Mathew Benton, said: “This is a flagship scheme for independent living accommodation for the over 55s right in the heart of Chorley town centre.

“Chorley Council is self-delivering this scheme and we are very pleased to be working with them to lead its delivery.”

Perfect Circle has been appointed using Scape Group’s National Built Environment Consultancy Services framework. Through the framework, Perfect Circle delivers the broadest range of consultancy services available to the public sector and will be supported by an extensive local supply chain. Scape Group, a public-sector organisation, is dedicated to creating ongoing efficiency and social value via the built environment.

“The BECS framework is an essential component of our clients’ ability to deliver vital public sector projects on time and to budget. Importantly, it also ensures the positive effects of built environment projects ripple out to the local community through work experience placements, educational opportunities for students and new jobs.”

Primrose Gardens Retirement Village, which is named after the former Primrose Cottage that sits on the site, will consist of 47 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom apartments that will be made available for affordable rent and will offer 24/7 support to residents if needed.

Councillor Graham Dunn, who oversees housing for Chorley Council, said: “I’m delighted that work is now starting on this major scheme which will be called Primrose Gardens and will provide purpose-built accommodation to support our older residents when they need it most.

“It is an innovative 65-bed scheme which will offer care and support to residents available 24/7 if needed, provide a community hub and also a sprung dance floor which will ensure two local dance schools can remain in the town centre.”

The scheme will also include a café, laundrette, community room, hair salon and a dance hall – providing a new base for Dance with Passion and Anita Murray School of Dance within the town centre.

Work on the new retirement complex is expected to complete in early 2019. Brewster Bye Architects designed the scheme.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Chorley Council leader added: “The scheme will not only provide much-needed affordable accommodation for older people in the town who may need extra care and support later in life, it will also bring residential areas back into the town centre which is part of our town centre masterplan. And it will also generate much-needed income for the council which is vital with the cuts in central government funding that can be spent on providing services to our residents.”