Our Proposals
Churchill Retirement Living’s vision is to deliver a sensitive development providing approximately 28 apartments (19 one-bed apartments and 9 two-bed apartments) and 3 cottages (2-bed).
The proposed retirement apartment building would be two and half storeys and the chalet style dormered bungalows will be 1 and half storeys.
The proposed building materials have been chosen to reflect those materials and features found in the local area and those that are present in the existing Windmill Inn Public House. These include red brick, as well as brown and bonnet tiles for the roof.
All developments by Churchill Retirement Living include an internal Owner's Lounge and coffee bar and high-quality external amenity space designed for passive exercise and the visual enjoyment of residents over 60 years of age, rather than active recreational uses. Planting is considered for longevity, colour all year, seasonal change, maintenance and local native biodiversity.
The proposed development would be constructed to modern standards, ensuring each apartment is as energy-efficient as possible. State-of-the-art technology will ensure low internal water consumption and photovoltaic solar panels on the roof will deliver a 10% saving in CO2 emissions.
Site Plan
Need for retirement living
There is a pressing need for older persons housing in Rustington; driven by demographic changes and supported by national and local policies. The UK is experiencing a housing crisis, with an insufficient number of homes being built to meet the needs of an ageing population. People live longer, and the proportion of older individuals is increasing significantly.
In the Arun district, the 2021 Census indicates a significant rise in the older population, with a 19.3% increase in those aged 65 and over between 2011 and 2021, and a notable 40% increase in people aged 70-74. The Arun Housing Need Review (2023) and the 2016 Updated Housing Needs Evidence highlight a considerable shortfall in specialist housing for older persons, estimating a need for 2,257 additional homes for older people by 2031.
Providing suitable housing for older adults can help them maintain independence, stay connected to their communities and reduce social care and health system costs. Additionally, increasing older persons’ housing can free up family homes, aiding the broader housing market. Therefore, redeveloping sites for older person housing in Rustington is both necessary and aligned with the Council’s development plans.
Parking
The proposal includes approximately 28 retirement apartments, 3 cottages and 14 parking spaces (including designated spaces for the cottages).
The typical age profile of those currently living at a Churchill Retirement community is an 80-year-old widow. Generally, 50% of residents also come from within a 5-mile radius of the location.
Given the above, residents of Churchill communities tend to not have cars. It is also generally found that those who do initially have cars tend to give them up soon after moving into a lodge as they no longer need it given the sustainable location and neighbourly living environment.
Benefits
Regeneration of an important site – The proposals would bring this important site, which is currently an unviable business, into positive and beneficial use and make a significant contribution locally in terms of social, economic and environmental benefits.
Supporting local businesses – Located within half a mile of a range of shops and key facilities in Rustington, a new Churchill development will provide an uplift in year-round new footfall at local shops and businesses.
Freeing up homes – Research has shown that providing homes at the top of the housing ladder, which better meet the needs and aspirations of older people, helps release many larger, second-hand properties back onto the market for local families to move into. In turn, smaller homes are also released which are suitable for first-time buyers.
Meeting the needs of older people – By moving to a Churchill Retirement Community of like-minded people, isolation and loneliness are significantly reduced as are anxieties related to the maintenance of the home and to safety and security experienced by many older people, enabling our residents to enjoy greatly improved health and general wellbeing.
Reducing demands on health and social services – Retirement communities reduce the risk of health challenges by helping to reduce social isolation and loneliness for elderly people as well as improving safety and security.
You can download a copy of the exhibition boards using the button below:
Indicative artistic impressions of proposed development looking from Mill Lane
