The ExtraCare Charitable Trust confirmed that construction work on Milton Keynes' second retirement village would be off to a swift start this month after contracts were signed to hand over the scheme's ten acre site in Shenley Woods.

The second scheme follows the success of ExtraCare's Lovat Fields Village in Willen which now has a waiting list of over 200 applicants.

ExtraCare confirmed that with planning approval now in place and building contractors, Inspace, already preparing the site, the first 184 Shenley Village homes would be open by winter 2011. A further 166 homes are planned as part of a second phase.

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With support from Milton Keynes Council and Milton Keynes Partnership the Village has also received £4.85 million from the Homes and Communities Agency and a further £3.5m from The Department of Health.

ExtraCare is establishing a £1.2 million appeal to fund 18 health and leisure facilities in the heart of the Shenley Woods scheme, responding to the popularity of Lovat Fields’ Village Centre which already provides social and active opportunities for 500 older residents and their families and friends.

John Payne, Partnership Director at ExtraCare, commented: "Lovat Fields offers older people support and security at an affordable cost and has become a social hub for older people and the community. With Lovat Fields successfully established, the backing of a forward-thinking Council and secure partnership funding in place we are ready to move forward and satisfy the demand for this second village."

(CD/GK)