Pick Everard, Gleeds and AECOM have been selected to lead the delivery of a £9 million retirement project in Chorley.

The Perfect Circle consortium will oversee the 65-bed Primrose Gardens Retirement Village scheme being built on a former car park in the town centre. Work on the project started this year and completion is expected in early 2019.

Designed by Brewster Bye Architects, the development will consist of 47 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom apartments that will be made available for 'affordable' rent and will offer 24/7 support to residents if needed.

Other features will include a café, laundrette, community room, hair salon and a dance hall.

Perfect Circle has been appointed using Scape Group's National Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework. Through the framework, Perfect Circle delivers the broadest range of consultancy services available to the public sector and will be supported by an extensive local supply chain.


Mark Robinson, Scape Group chief executive, said: "It is great to see Perfect Circle working with Chorley Council to deliver such an important project, bringing much-needed new homes and community facilities to the area.

"The BECS framework is an essential component of our clients' ability to deliver vital public sector projects on time and to budget. Importantly, it also ensures the positive effects of built environment projects ripple out to the local community through work experience placements, educational opportunities for students and new jobs."

Head of building surveying at Pick Everard, Mathew Benton, said: "This is a flagship scheme for independent living accommodation for the over 55s right in the heart of Chorley town centre.

"Chorley Council is self-delivering this scheme and we are very pleased to be working with them to lead its delivery."

Cllr Graham Dunn said: "I'm delighted that work is now starting on this major scheme which will be called Primrose Gardens and will provide purpose-built accommodation to support our older residents when they need it most.

"It is an innovative 65-bed scheme which will offer care and support to residents available 24/7 if needed, provide a community hub and also a sprung dance floor which will ensure two local dance schools can remain in the town centre."

(LM)