West Malling Integrated Retirement Community

Entrant's Summary: This innovative retirement development in the Kent market town of West Malling – part of RVG’s Thrive Living Collection - comprises 140 extra care units alongside a variety of communal facilities. It unlocks the rich ecological value of its site through careful arrangement of villa blocks, informed by nearby Georgian buildings, in a landscaped sanctuary. RCKa overcame a troubled history of earlier attempts to develop the site, thanks to a well-executed engagement process and a focus on placemaking that established confidence among local residents and planners, and allowed the scheme to be approved by planning officers using delegated powers.