McCarthy Stone has celebrated the opening of its 500th managed development; Priory House in Banstead, Surrey
Reaching milestones and breaking records is second nature to McCarthy Stone, the UK’s largest developer and manager of retirement communities.
Priory House is the retirement housebuilder’s 500th managed scheme, since it brought its management services in-house in 2009.
Since then, it remains as the managing agent and landlord on all new developments.
Today McCarthy Stone supports more than 22,000 older people, mostly in their 80s. It has been responsible for more than half of all retirement housing built over the last decade.
And at a time when some retirement house builders are slowing their programmes down due to the rise in construction costs, McCarthy Stone is forgoing ahead and committed to building some 40 new retirement communities a year.
Its portfolio includes 119 Retirement Living PLUS developments. These form part of its Extra Care housing with additional on-site services that include regulated care, bistros/restaurants, and 24-hour support if needed.
John Tonkiss, McCarthy Stone’s CEO, said: “This milestone is an indication of the ongoing need for more and better housing for older people across the country.
“I would like to thank our 22,000 customers who put their trust in us every day to make their later years a delightful experience.
“I would also like to thank everyone who works for McCarthy Stone.
“It is their commitment to championing and supporting our homeowners that makes it possible to provide our services and create even deeper and longer relationships with our customers.”
Housing Minister Rachel Maclean MP also welcomed the news, adding: “Increasing the supply and choice of specialist housing for older people is a priority for the government, which is especially important as the population ages.
“Offering older and more vulnerable people a better choice of accommodation to suit their changing needs can help them live independently and feel more connected to their communities.”
McCarthy Stone is also evolving its product and service offering to continue to meet the needs of the ageing population.
It became the first national retirement community operator to offer a rental service for its customers in 2019, and around a third of its yearly transactions are now rentals.
It is also increasing the flexibility of its services, offering more care and support, alongside increasing the affordability of its products.
This is being achieved by providing an affordable shared-ownership offer, as part of Homes England’s Older Person’s Shared Ownership Scheme, and through a partnership with Anchor.
McCarthy Stone is also innovating its approach to construction.
It became the first national housebuilder to commit to building 50 per cent of future developments using modern methods of construction (‘MMC’).
This will allow McCarthy Stone to build faster, more affordably and more sustainably.
Priory House is on Bolters Lane in Banstead, Surrey and is McCarthy Stone’s latest development.
There are 44 apartments alongside communal areas and a House Manager based on-site. It is already 80 per cent sold.
For further details about the scheme, please visit www.mccarthystone.co.uk/priory-house or call McCarthy Stone on 0800 153 3435.
McCarthy Stone has two main product ranges – Retirement Living, and Retirement Living PLUS.
Retirement Living developments provide independence in private apartments designed specifically for the over-60s.
Retirement Living PLUS developments, a form of Extra Care housing, are designed specifically for the over-70s. These homes offer more on-site facilities such as restaurants, well-being suites and function rooms.
They also provide on-site CQC-regulated care and support packages to assist those needing extra help.
All developments built since 2010 are managed by McCarthy Stone’s in-house management services team, providing peace of mind that it will look after customers and their properties for the long term.
For further information, please visit www.mccarthystone.co.uk
