LNT Care Developments was the most active elderly care home developer for the second year in 2022, according to sector specialist, Carterwood.

The Leeds-based business made applications for 1,842 beds, or 8% of all planning activity, according to Carterwood’s Market Movers research. Frontier Estates and Barchester Heatlhcare completed the top three in elderly care homes.

Matt Lowe, LNT Care Developments chief executive, said: “We are delighted to be recognised by Carterwood’s Market Mover research for our efforts throughout 2022. The elderly population continues to grow and we really do believe that ‘what we do matters’, which is why we remain ambitious for further growth and more land purchases, enabling us to build even more great places to live.”

McCarthy Stone was the most active developer in the retirement living sector for the third year running with applications totalling 2,477 units – representing 14.5% of all planning activity assessed in 2022 and a 13% increase on planning activity from 2021. Churchill Retirement Living and Inspired Villages secured second and third places, with applications for 2,207 beds collectively.

John Tonkiss, chief executive at McCarthy Stone, said: “We’re delighted to be recognised once again as Carterwood’s top Market Mover in the retirement living sector. We remain focused on increasing the supply of affordable, purpose-built specialist housing with care and support for the UK’s ageing population as it is proven to improve the health and wellbeing of its residents. We would like to grow supply further but unfortunately we continue to experience major challenges in the planning system. Councils are not resourced properly, delays of up to a year or more to reach a decision are commonplace, and their awareness of the housing needs of older people is critically low. We are calling for ministers to urgently address this issue. The government’s new older people’s housing taskforce is the perfect opportunity to look at what can be done.”

Carterwood managing director Tom Hartley said: “Each year brings fresh adversity to a sector already facing multiple challenges, but the steadfast commitment of these Market Movers to overcome barriers and persevere with growth plans is truly something to be celebrated. In just a few years (by 2026), we predict a shortfall of market standard elderly care home beds of nearly 277,000, alongside an estimated population of those aged 75+ nearing 7 million and it’s vital that there is a choice of fit-for-purpose accommodation for both those with care needs and those who can live more actively and independently. The imbalance between demand and supply continues to be one of the most pressing issues of the sector, but one that I have every faith our Market Movers will be dedicated to redressing, and we look forward to supporting them as they do so.”