Insurance giant’s later living business to redevelop firm’s former HQ
Legal & General’s later living business has become the latest to benefit from the introduction of online “virtual” planning committees, after yesterday securing permission for a 270-home retirement community in Surrey.
The ability to take planning decisions via virtual committee was rushed through by the government late last month within the Coronavirus Act introduced in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, in order to allow the planning system to continue in lockdown.
The £215m scheme, approved by Reigate and Banstead council in a committee convened using online video conferencing software, is designed to transform Legal & General’s Grade II*-listed former Kingswood, Surrey headquarters into one of the UK’s largest later living communities.
The new system of online committees, prohibited until this month by legislation dating from the 1970s, has already seen a 750-home Taylor Wimpey scheme in Waltham Forest approved, among others.
L&G, which in 2017 acquired later living brand Inspired Villages, said it will now transform the vacant and dilapidated 43-acre site into a vibrant later living community with 270 specialist age-appropriate apartments and up to 10 respite units alongside a wellness centre, including a swimming pool, studio, gymnasium and tennis courts, dining and recreation facilities.
It said Inspired Villages will work with local GP practices and hospitals to help reduce pressure on the NHS and local care services.
Phil Bayliss, CEO of later living at Legal & General, said the permission was further evidence of the firm’s plan to revolutionise the later living market in the UK.
He said: “Covid19 is already putting the care sector under extreme pressure, but by investing through and beyond the immediate crisis we believe that we can help to address the issue of future demand on the system – helping people to live in good health for longer.”
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