McCarthy Stone, a developer and manager of retirement communities, has launched a retirement village in Wimborne, Dorset comprising100 new specialist retirement properties.

The new community, with a total gross development value of £45 million, features 68 apartments, 22 bungalows and 10 chalets, designed for the over-65s. The properties are being offered for outright sale and shared ownership. First occupations will be in the autumn.

The scheme features community facilities, including a large homeowners’ lounge and bistro, a multi-function room, a garden, and a care and support team provided by McCarthy Stone.

Brendon O’Neill, divisional managing director for McCarthy Stone’s Southern region, said: “Retirement communities free up larger homes for families and deliver significant economic benefits. However, supply simply isn’t keeping up with demand – there’s 12.5 million people aged 65 and over in the UK, and not enough suitable options for them to move to when they need more help and support. We’re therefore delighted to see the progress of our new retirement village in Dorset and provide much-needed housing and care options for older people in the area. We look forward to seeing its benefits ripple out into the local community.”

McCarthy Stone operates 530 UK retirement communities, including 120 housing with care schemes.