Work starts on Strawberry Fields forever homes for over-60s in Stapleford
The start of construction of Strawberry Fields, a £50 million retirement development of 147 homes in Stapleford, has been marked by a ground-breaking ceremony.
The site is four miles south of Cambridge and borders Magog Down, a 163-acre reserve on the Gog Magog Hills with views of the countryside. The names reflects the land’s previous use for growing strawberries.
Developed by Rangeford Villages, the homes will be built with the needs of over-60s in mind, with on-site care so residents can live independently with confidence. It will offer 147 one, two and three-bedroom properties with the first phase estimated to be completed in 2024, and building work finished in 2025.
The ceremony was attended by Cllr Peter Fane, chair of South Cambridgeshire District Council and vice chair of the planning committee, members of the Magog Trust which owns and manages Magog Down, some of the Rangeford Villages team and construction partners Bennetts.
Howard Nankivell, CEO of Rangeford Villages, said: “The Strawberry Fields site is phenomenal, and we are keen to do it justice by providing quality homes facilities and services for its residents.”
The new village will feature a range of bungalows and apartments with energy-efficient features such as underfloor heating, double-glazed picture windows and an all-electric energy system to help lower bills and environmental impact. Electric car charging points, pool cars and communal transport will all be available for residents.
Amenities to promote a healthy lifestyle will include a wellbeing centre (pool, steam room and sauna), gym, dance studio, bistro, coffee shop and bar, village hall and a hair and beauty salon. The outdoor spaces will feature gardens, a village green and croquet lawn, and a boules court.
Paul McGee, joint managing director of Bennett Construction, said: “We are keen to deliver a scheme that brings long-term value to the local community and during the construction phase we will employ about 200 people across all trades and offering apprenticeships as well.
“The scheme will be developed in a sustainable way and have already identified where we can make 1,500 tonnes of carbon savings in the construction.”
Rangeford Villages has teamed up with Octopus Real Estate, a leading investor in healthcare facilities, for the project. Once completed, it will be operated by Rangeford. The established partnership has already led to the creation of five retirement villages across the UK.
