A planning application to develop a new retirement community in Milltimber at Binghill House has now been submitted. The proposed development will be unique in Aberdeen by collocating independent retirement properties with a nursing home. The development is designed for over-60s looking to lead an active lifestyle where they can build discrete care and support packages to suit their needs as they age, allowing them to ‘age in place’.  For those who do require higher levels of care, this can be provided in the on-site nursing home. 

This unique development will see cottages and apartments built in the extensive garden of Binghill House.  The low rise, low impact design of the development respects the surrounding landscape with properties being located amongst the mature trees.  Pedestrian movement will be prioritised throughout creating an environment to encourage residents to spend time in the outdoors. Footpaths will link the new community to Milltimber inviting people to use the new facilities and to integrate the development into Milltimber. 

A small shop and café provide residents with a place to pick up the daily essentials – bread, milk, papers etc – and a place to meet and socialise. These will also be open to the public and will provide Milltimber with two new facilities currently missing from the village. Another new facility available to residents and the public are community allotments providing space to grow produce in a communal and supportive environment.

The vision for the development comes from the applicant’s personal experience of navigating the senior living accommodation market. When looking for care accommodation for her ageing parents, one who required nursing care and one who could still live independently but wanted to be close to his partner she discovered there was no such offering in Aberdeen. The realisation that others would be in a similar position and recognising the strain this scenario puts on families she has set out to create a development where residents care is flexible and fits around the different needs of partners allowing them to stay together as they age.

The design team has taken best practice from across the UK and Europe and Scottish Government and Aberdeen City Council priorities for senior living and used these to design a development that will bring benefit to Aberdeen’s senior residents.