Since 1963, PRP has been a leader in designing high-quality, sustainable buildings that enhance both communities and the lives of their users.
From regenerating urban estates and master planning new neighbourhoods to ensuring building safety and creating homes for older people, PRP is committed to delivering intelligent and responsive solutions.
In the WA100 2025 rankings, PRP is 5th globally in the Elderly Living Market Sector and the top UK practice in this category.
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New Lodge Community A model for lifetime neighbourhoods
New Lodge is a pioneering development in the heart of New Earswick, York, designed by PRP for the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust.
As a ‘Lifetime Neighbourhood,’ it provides high-quality housing and care for older people while fostering strong community connections.
The intergenerational scheme includes a 44-bed care home, 105 extra care apartments, and the refurbishment of the Grade II-listed Folk Hall.
“PRP was invited to redesign a new retirement community at the centre of the beautiful Garden City of New Earswick.
The project replaces an outdated care home but seizes the opportunity for a comprehensive vision beyond just its replacement.
Next to the original village hall (Folk Hall) and on the site of an underutilised open space, the landscape-led masterplan is structured around connections to the surrounding housing, green routes through the site and meaningful public realm.Newly refurbished Folk Hall once again becomes the anchor for the community, providing facilities and intergenerational activities for the older residents.
New Lodge Community is the perfect example of a Lifetime Neighbourhood”
Clare Cameron, Director at PRP
Designing for a lifetime neighbourhood
New Lodge reflects the essence of a Lifetime Neighbourhood, offering safe, accessible, and comfortable homes for older residents at the heart of the community, while enabling them to downsize and free up family housing for younger generations to move into New Earswick.
The development respects the Arts and Crafts heritage, incorporating steep roofscapes, feature chimneys, and traditional brickwork. Housing is arranged in small courtyards, fostering a sense of community while maintaining privacy.
The project has also achieved the University of Stirling Gold Award for Dementia Design, ensuring a supportive environment for those with cognitive impairments.
Green credentials
Sustainability is integral to New Lodge, with features ensuring high environmental performance. The development has achieved BREEAM ‘Very Good’ certification, incorporating passive design measures to mitigate overheating and a photovoltaic (PV) array for energy efficiency. Water conservation strategies reduce potable water use, while locally sourced materials enhance durability and resilience.
A central publicly accessible green space encourages social interaction and outdoor activities, with accessible pathways promoting walkability. The extra care apartments are designed for future adaptability, allowing them to convert into care beds as residents’ needs change.
Community and connectivity
New Lodge has revitalised community life in New Earswick by integrating housing and care services with social spaces. The refurbishment of Folk Hall plays a key role, acting as a hub for all ages to gather for meals, social events, and activities. Covered walkways and clear footpaths connect the Folk Hall with the extra care housing and care home.
The masterplan enhances safety through natural surveillance and carefully designed public and private spaces, striking a balance between provision of intergenerational public spaces and security. By enabling older residents to remain in familiar surroundings while freeing up larger homes, New Lodge helps rebalance the local demographic, ensuring long-term vibrancy.
Residents have expressed deep appreciation for life at New Lodge. Olive, a resident, shared:
“I was born in this village and have never lived anywhere else. My husband and I downsized to Red Lodge (the previous care home) before moving here, and we watched New Lodge being built brick by brick. We’ve been very happy here.”
Pauline, another resident, added:
“It’s a lovely place to live and feels very safe, which means a lot as you get older.”
A thriving intergenerational community
New Lodge sets a benchmark for well-considered later living developments. By integrating high quality extra care housing and care at the heart of an existing community with strong links to local amenities, it fosters a sense of belonging and ensures residents remain engaged with their community.
The balance of intergenerational activity and public spaces with private and secure spaces encourages independence within a safe and supportive environment. Thoughtful planning has ensured the site retains the permeability, architectural character and green quality of historic New Earswick. Sustainability measures guarantee resilience for future generations, demonstrating how architectural and social vision can create thriving, intergenerational communities.
We are grateful to PRP (opens new window) for sponsoring the Housing LIN Conference 2025, A Festival of Ideas, held in London, during which this Inspirational Achievement was published in collaboration.
We were delighted to be joined by our associate sponsor, PRP, for a session co-chaired by Lord Best, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People, and Jeremy Porteus, CEO of Housing LIN.
The session, titled “Connecting Communities for Lifelong Homes and Lifetime Neighbourhoods,” featured Clare Cameron, Director at PRP.
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