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An example of a retirement village
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Retirement could become an even more attractive prospect after Peterborough City Council gave the thumbs-up to investigating the merits of bringing an American-style retirement village to the city.
Aiming to create self-sufficient communities, the villages boast a wide range of facilities, including shops, saunas, health centres, gyms, pubs and even their own village hall.
However, as well as having everything they need on their own doorstep, the retirement village also promises pensioners activities to encourage an active social life.
Regular excursions provide residents with trips to the seaside, theatres and even the chance to experience extreme sports such as rock climbing and canoeing.
Councillors Graham Murphy and John Holdich have been looking into the concept and after making a presentation to the city council's community well being overview committee they were given the go-ahead to investigate the idea further.
Councillor Murphy, Cabinet member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: "Pensioners want to lead a more active life in an environment geared towards their needs and a retirement village can provide just the answer. They are a direct challenge to old fashioned ideas about ageing.
"The idea of building a community aimed at the elderly may be new to Peterborough, but it has been embraced elsewhere in the country and is certainly worth taking a closer look at here. It's important the city council provides opportunities for its elderly residents as well as younger members of the community."
Councillor Holdich, Cabinet member for Housing, Regeneration and Growth, added: "The idea of bringing a retirement village to this area is at a very early stage, but it certainly has its merits and we have been asked to investigate the idea further. We will be looking at possible sites for such a village and will be given presentations from three major providers which work in this area."
In total, 27 retirement villages have been developed across the country, including ones near Nottingham and Northampton.
Demand is expected to grow with experts predicting the number of pensioners over 80 will increase by as much as 33% in the next 12 years because of advances in healthcare.
