Work has commenced on the £45 million first phase of Widmore Park Village in Sonning Common, a groundbreaking initiative by Inspired Villages, an award-winning developer and operator of retirement communities.

The project’s initial phase includes 73 customised homes specifically designed for those aged over 65 and incorporates a high-tech wellness suite situated within the village centre.

Specialist later living developer, Farrans, has been designated as the construction partner for the project by Inspired Villages.

Widmore Park Village, when fully completed, will provide 133 eco-friendly homes, accommodating approximately 150 residents aged 65 and above.

Stellar amenities on offer will include a restaurant, café, hair salon, library, and a wellness centre featuring a swimming pool, steam room, treatment rooms, and a gymnasium with a dedicated fitness studio.

Many of these facilities will be available for use by the broader community.

Beyond enriching the lives of its future residents, the development is anticipated to yield considerable benefits to the local area and economy.

More than 100 construction jobs will be created, with an additional 40 permanent positions opening upon completion.

Demonstrating commitment to local community support, Farrans and Inspired Villages have initiated various beneficial projects.

These efforts include the donation of laptops to Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge secondary school’s Special Educational Needs Department by Farrans and a ‘careers in construction’ information session for 70 Year 10 students.

In another initiative, Farrans and Inspired Villages team members volunteered their time to clear the Sonning Common Scout Hall.

Shaun Whelan, Construction Director for Inspired Villages, said: "We’re immensely proud of the community we’re creating at Sonning Common.

"Widmore Park will join our nine operational villages as a valuable asset to the local area, supporting housing needs for the region’s over 65s sustainably and conscientiously.

"The benefits to residents and the wider community are substantial, and we’re excited to mark this groundbreaking milestone as the first step towards making Widmore Park a thriving and popular retirement community."

Echoing this sentiment, Glenn Gilmore, Regional Director for Farrans, said: "We are proud to be delivering this important scheme for Inspired Villages, and we recognise how crucial it is to have well-designed, high-quality retirement living developments like Widmore Park, which promote activity, community, and sustainability in our later years.

"We will keep the local community updated with our progress in the Sonning Common magazine and look forward to hosting 12 coffee mornings at the nearby parish in partnership with Age UK."

Originally established in 2017, Inspired Villages is committed to creating later-living communities across the United Kingdom that emphasise the physical, social, and mental wellbeing of their residents.

The company aims to attain Net Zero Carbon status globally by 2030, with the Widmore Park further enhancing its portfolio of 25 eco-friendly communities developed in partnership with Legal & General Capital and NatWest Group Pension Fund.