A LUXURY £13m retirement village has been proposed for a parkland site in North Yorkshire.

The proposed five-star development at Great Ayton will feature 44 extra-care bungalows and apartments, and 40 full-care beds.

Heritage Care Villages, part of the Yorkshire-based Prospect Property Group, has applied to develop the new retirement village, which will offer a range of assisted living and allow couples to remain living together when one faces declining physical or mental health.

The two-acre site, which already has planning consent for a care facility, is situated in the historic parkland of Cleveland Lodge.

It will have luxury apartments on one part of the village-style site, which can be purchased by residents. The other part will contain 40 full-care beds suitable for the care of dementia and other patients who cannot be looked after by their partners.

Residents in the assisted living apartment accommodation will have access to resort-style parks and gardens. The site will also have a shared restaurant, bar and social spaces and a food delivery service to apartments for those not wanting to cook.

There will also be an on-site concierge and security service and direct access to the 40-bed care facility if they have family or friends there.

Architect James Elliott, from Aspect Architecture, who submitted the plans to Hambleton District Council, said changing demographics, life-expectancy and varying standards of NHS care meant this type of high-quality, couple-based care was very much in demand.

“This new concept in assisted care offers the independence of a luxury retirement village, with all the social and security benefits you would expect, but with a professionally managed full-care facility on site,” he said.

“It will mean that couples facing separation due to declining physical or mental health will be able to remain at the same facility, improving quality of life for both partners. The whole prospect of being separated later in life is extremely stressful for elderly couples and this type of facility ensures a higher quality of life for both residents and patients alike, and more dignity for those needing full care.”

If the plans are approved this year, the first apartments will be ready during 2016.