Inspired Villages scoops win at 2021 Planning Awards for pipeline retirement village at former Legal & General HQ

Inspired Villages, Legal & General’s later living business, has won the ‘Best housing scheme (fewer than 500 homes)’ category at the Planning Awards 2021 for its Kingswood site.

Located at Legal & General House – L&G’s former HQ in Kingswood, Surrey – the scheme will be one of the largest retirement villages in the UK, once complete. Planning permission was secured for the site, which will have a gross development value of £215 million, in April 2020.

Inspired Villages beat off stiff competition from major property industry players, such as Places for People, Bidwells, and Berkeley Homes, to scoop this prestigious prize.

Inspired Villages CEO Jamie Bunce said: “We are delighted to have won this award. It is fantastic recognition for our vision of creating communities that truly transform the retirement experience for over 65s in this country. Those later years can be the best of your life – if you live in the right, vibrant, supportive environment, which is what Inspired Villages strives to create with schemes such as the one at Kingswood. Thank you very much to everyone involved with the scheme for all their hard work and support.”

Legal & General CEO of Later Living Phil Bayliss added: “This country faces a chronic shortfall in suitable homes for over 65s, not to mention a health and social care crisis, which Legal & General is helping address through our partnerships with revolutionary companies such as Inspired Villages. This win at the 2021 Planning Awards is a testament to the positive difference we are making to society – and specifically the local Kingswood community – through our investments.”