Confusion has been raised over a new retirement home in Shinfield that has been built but left vacant for more than two years.
The Chapters retirement home in Beke Avenue, Shinfield, was completed by the Anchor company, providing 80 one and two-bedroom apartments for people aged over 55.
A press release by Anchor celebrating the completion was published on August 2, 2023.
However, more than two years after that, the care home remains dormant.
Retired resident Mrs Boswell said that her friend was considering moving in, and even went with her friend on a viewing.
Yet all advertising for the apartments has been removed.
The issue was raised by Mrs Boswell, who spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service about it, and covered during ‘question time’ at a full meeting of Wokingham Borough Council.
Councillor Andrew Gray (Labour, Shinfield) said: “It seems a waste of a new building like this to be empty. Has the council considered using it for supported living?”
Cllr David Hare (Liberal Democrats, Hawkedon), executive member for adult services, health & wellbeing, replied that it would be too costly for the council to take over The Chapters.
He said: “I’m sorry that this site has been unused for so long, but at this particular site, we’ve looked at it previously and have not been able to produce a sufficient sound business case.
“When considering the initial investment, costs required and ongoing costs and risks.
“I believe that the quality of the build is one of the problems with the site. That’s certainly something that I’ve heard.”
A spokesperson for Anchor has confirmed that it is selling the care home.
An Anchor spokesperson said: “As a not-for-profit provider of housing and care, we regularly review our property portfolio to ensure we continue to provide homes where people love living in later life.
“In 2023, we updated our development strategy to focus more on affordable and social rent tenures, moving away from new market sale products. In line with this strategic shift and following a thorough review, we have made the decision to market and sell The Chapters in Shinfield as a whole development.
“The Chapters is a thoughtfully designed, high-quality development comprising 80 one- and two-bedroom apartments originally intended for market sale.
“While it is a beautifully presented scheme, it no longer aligns with our revised priorities for our new build homes.
“We are proud to be working with Knight Frank and Devonshires to bring this outstanding building to market providing more homes for older people in the local community. We are actively marketing the property.”
Knight Frank is a leading estate agency, and Devonshires is a law firm.
