Contractor Beard has started work on a new phase at Wadswick Green, a new luxury retirement community at a former MoD naval college near Corsham in Wiltshire.

The project, worth £18.1 million, will see Beard build the last two apartment blocks in the development which will be known as Walnut Lane. Eight out of 10 apartment blocks have been completed and are mostly occupied.

The two new three-storey apartment blocks will house 45 individual apartments. One of the blocks will be split into four communal cores, each core with its own communal entrance hall with passenger lift and staircase for each. The other block will be similar but with three communal cores.

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To achieve maximum energy efficiency, Beard is installing air source heat pumps and photovoltaic arrays to generate heating and supplementary electrical power, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery in each apartment.

Beard has worked closely with Rangeford Villages to shield residents in the existing apartments from any nuisance from construction, implementing measures such as noise and dust controls.

One of several retirement villages from Rangeford Villages, Wadswick Green is expected to be completed in November 2025. Along with accommodation, it also features The Pavilion, a social hub including a spa, shop and restaurant, and a village hall.

Jamie Harwood, Beard's Swindon director, said: "We are thrilled to be involved in this project and look forward to delivering great accommodation as part of this innovative retirement village. It's a great opportunity to showcase our expertise and experience in building high-quality accommodation for older people."