A Midlands contractor has been awarded a £20m contract to build a new retirement village in Shropshire, marking a significant development for the town of Newport. McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd, a well-established construction firm with over 60 years of local experience, has been selected to deliver the project on behalf of retirement community specialist Untold Living.
The development will see the construction of 61 apartments and 15 bungalows on land situated off the A41 in Newport, as part of Untold Living’s efforts to create flexible housing options for older residents. The project is one of three similar communities being developed across the UK by Untold Living, with Newport identified as a key location due to its growing population and demand for retirement housing.
McPhillips director Chris Walker expressed his enthusiasm for the project. “We are really looking forward to developing this scheme for Untold Living and the people of Newport,” he said. “There’s a significant benefit for the local community, not only through the provision of much-needed retirement accommodation, but also through the use of our local workforce and established supply chain. As we’re based only a few miles away, this is a project that’s very close to home for us.”
Russell Jewell, CEO of Untold Living, praised the appointment of McPhillips, noting the contractor’s long-standing reputation in the region. “We’re delighted to award the contract for this build to McPhillips, a local firm with a 60-year history in the area,” Jewell said. “It’s important to us that the Newport community benefits from our investment here, and McPhillips is perfectly positioned to deliver a high-quality development that will meet the needs of modern retirees.”
Jewell highlighted the importance of providing suitable housing for older residents, stating that the development will offer smaller, more manageable homes with 24-hour support for those who need it. “There is a real shortage of good quality, smaller housing in this part of the borough,” he said. “This development will enable those living in Newport to stay in the town while moving to accommodation that better suits their needs as they enter retirement.”
The retirement village is expected to ease housing pressures in the area by freeing up larger family homes, according to Jewell. “This is a win-win for Newport,” he added. “It will not only provide much-needed housing for retirees, but also help families looking to upsize by freeing up existing properties.”
Construction on the site, located opposite Mere Park Garden Centre, is set to begin this month. McPhillips is in the process of setting up an on-site unit where members of the public can view the development plans and ask questions about the construction process. Chris Walker encouraged local residents to visit the unit to learn more about the project and its timeline.
The new retirement village is part of Untold Living’s wider plans to expand its footprint across the UK, with another 69-unit development already completed in Wiltshire. Backed by a London-based private equity firm, Untold Living received full planning permission for the Newport site earlier this year, following the approval of a £26.4m loan to fund the project.
McPhillips has a strong track record in the region, having delivered over 140 projects worth £300m in the past five years, including the recent refurbishment of Telford Fire Station. The company employs more than 240 people at its Telford base.
