Castle Retirement Living has announced that its new flagship development, Castle View Windsor, will be prioritising health and wellbeing by potentially banning smoking at its new retirement village development, as well as introducing a number of other health initiatives.
The operator is now in consultation with those who have already reserved apartments off plan over a complete ban on smoking in all community facilities and individual apartments when it opens in Autumn 2018. Once complete, the retirement village in the heart of Windsor will provide 58 apartments for the over 55s, together with an additional 72 bed care home and extensive communal facilities including a rooftop lounge, coffee shop and restaurant.
While such schemes have already been trialled at retirement developments in Australia, it’s a concept that Robin Hughes, managing director of Castle Retirement Living is keen to try to introduce in the UK, along with further health initiatives to promote health and wellbeing at the new development.
Robin Hughes says: “I think it’s time that the impact of second-hand smoke in a community environment like Castle View Windsor is really considered with some fresh thinking.
“As most residents will have generous balconies to their apartments, along with universal access to roof terraces, we do not really want these areas to be used by any smokers or guests, potentially impacting on the general amenity of the village with passive smoke.
“To date, 50 per cent of the first phase of apartments have already been reserved off plan and all these residents have confirmed they are non-smokers. It is only right we shape the day-to-day management of our new development in consultation with our residents, by exploring their views further, along with the legal position.”
Banning smoking in individual apartments bought by residents, as well as in all common areas, would be new territory for the evolving retirement village sector - while reducing fire risk and the need to redecorate and refresh smoke infused accommodation as frequently were also factors in Castle Retirement Living’s decision to explore a no smoking policy.
The company intends to have a clear legal position as to whether a ‘no smoking’ restriction is legal and enforceable before its second phase of apartments is released in June.
Other living well initiatives at Castle View Windsor will include membership to Windsor Lawn Tennis Club for residents - which is just metres from the development and offers some of the best tennis facilities in the area, along with its own clubhouse and lounge.
The new Windsor retirement village is also planning to host regular health and wellbeing events for residents such as Pilates, Yoga and ‘living with’ health sessions. Apartment prices start from £330,000 to £650,000.
Robin Hughes adds: “We are committed to promoting both wellbeing and safety at Castle View Windsor in a multitude of ways and, where necessary, we will look at the legal process to try to deliver it – even if we are the first company to try this approach.”
