Our team in the Midlands created the new Winwood Heights retirement village, which saw the refurbishment of two existing tower blocks and delivery of a new facility with 44 extra care apartments.

Procured through the Scape Major Works framework, the village provides a total of 224 one and two bedroom flats for local people, spread across a mix of interconnected new or fully refurbished accommodation.

Independent living

Winwood Heights allows residents to live independently providing flexible care as their needs change. Set in a unique parkland location the homes are all highly energy efficient, meaning lower fuel bills and warmer homes for residents.

All the new build apartments are fully accessible for people with disabilities allowing older people and those with extra care needs to stay living within their communities for longer.

Two weatherproof link corridors connect the extra care facility with the existing tower blocks. Facilities created include a hairdressers, laundry room, IT room, kitchen, carers’ room and assisted bathroom. Care provider accommodation, a sky lounge and roof terrace have also been created.

Read more about our approach to resident engagement throughout the project in our blog.

We are committed to leaving a lasting legacy within the communities in which we work. As part of this, we worked in close collaboration with Nottingham City Council to help find employment for local people and support the school engagement project Budding Brunels, by offering careers advice and work experience to 25 students. We also engaged with local apprentices through our supply chain partners to provide over 330 weeks of work experience on site.

79% of labour came from within 40 miles of the site and 45% within 10 miles. As part of our commitment to investing back into the local community, we also delivered 80% of work through SMEs and 40% of goods were source from within 10 miles of the development. Since completion, the project has also won the RICS Social Impact Residential Award for the East Midlands region.

Nick Murphy, chief executive of Nottingham City Homes said:

“The Building a Better Nottingham programme is transforming people’s lives across the city. We are improving the look and feel of our estates, as well as building energy efficient, sustainable homes, which can dramatically reduce fuel bills for our residents. The transformation of the tower blocks in Sherwood will offer huge benefits to our existing tenants and to many more older residents in the future, thanks to the construction of the extra care apartments and facilities. It will offer flexible care and support to enable older residents to continue to live independently.”

Peter Owen, managing director of Willmott Dixon in the Midlands said:

"It has been fantastic to create these important new facilities for local people in Nottingham. The flexible care approach will allow people to stay living independently for longer with a wealth of facilities on site."