Assisted and Independent Living, Buckshaw Retirement Village, Chorley

The completed scheme comprises 213 homes across multiple buildings, including 201 one- and two-bedroom units, plus a dedicated Extra Care and Dementia facility.
The village includes:

• The Grange – a 78-bedroom assisted living facility with reception, management suite, resident lounges, restaurant, central kitchen, salon, and extensive landscaped gardens and seating areas.
• The Court – three-storey independent living for over 55s, including shared lounges, restaurant, central kitchen, salon, and gardens.
• The Lodge – a purpose-built Extra Care and Dementia facility with 60 fully fitted apartments, reception, management suite, resident sensory lounges, restaurant, central kitchen, street scene areas, and a dedicated GP surgery. All communal areas were completed to 4-star hotel standard.

The project incorporated numerous sustainable and off-site construction features, including:

• Timber frame construction from FSC-managed sources
• Recycled bulk fill and aggregates for roads and hardstandings
• Green compost for topsoil enhancement
• Central ventilation, low-energy lighting, low-volume showers, and district heating systems
• Extensive waste management systems, achieving high recycling rates
• Pre-fabricated wall and floor panels (“cassette form”) to minimise site components and ensure quality

Buckshaw Village was developed with active engagement of local stakeholders, including the Local Authority, Health Authority, and GP practice, transforming initial community reluctance into support. The Dementia building received the 2009 Gold Level Certificate of Dementia Design and the Pinders Health Care Design Award. Three mock-up apartments were created early in the programme to benchmark quality and support sales and tenancy.