Michaelmas Court

Michaelmas Court is a 54-unit integrated retirement community delivered by WWA for Housing 21. The project is designed to meet the evolving care and support needs of older people, particularly those living with dementia, while encouraging independence, community integration, and long-term well-being. Completed in June 2025, the development is designed in line with HAPPI principles and the latest Dementia Design guidance. The homes sit within a landscape-led masterplan that balances private space, social interaction, and access to nature, creating a safe, inclusive, and aspirational environment for residents to age well.

Meeting Residents’ Needs and Enhancing Well-being

Michaelmas Court enables residents to live independently for longer, with homes that are future-proofed, adaptable, and supportive of changing mobility, cognitive, and sensory needs. Dementia-friendly design features include:

• Clear sightlines and legible layouts
• Contrasting finishes to aid visibility
• Rest areas and intuitive wayfinding

In line with HAPPI principles, all homes are bright, spacious and wheelchair accessible, with private outdoor space/balconies. Communal amenities, a café/bistro, hair salon, and lounge, are open to the wider community to encourage intergenerational connection and reduce isolation.

Well-being is central to the design, with secure courtyard gardens offering sensory outdoor spaces that encourage activity, comfort, and connection to nature, proven to benefit cognitive and emotional health, especially for those with dementia.

Michaelmas Court Housing Types and Affordability

100% affordable housing, delivered and managed by Housing 21, a not-for-profit leader in retirement and extra care housing. Offering 1 & 2 bed apartments and 2 bed bungalows. Mixed tenures of:

• Social rent for lower-income households

• Shared ownership options for older residents seeking secure, supported living

This housing mix ensures older people from diverse economic backgrounds in Thurston and surrounding rural areas have access to high-quality, supported housing tailored to their needs.

Creating a Desirable Place to Live

Designed not just as a housing scheme, it’s a thriving community hub that offers privacy and opportunities for social interaction. The inclusion of public-facing amenities and thoughtful landscaping contributes to a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.

The design maximises views of the surrounding countryside, preserves all mature trees on site, and enhances biodiversity through native planting and new habitat creation. Outdoor areas are designed with gentle gradients, clear pathways, and rest points, ensuring full accessibility, comfort, and safety for residents and visitors.

Design, Sustainability and Construction Excellence

A landscape-led approach shaped the layout of the development. Working with a landscape architect, a detailed Landscape Visual Impact Assessment helped shape the layout, reducing visual impact and enhancing connection with nature. The result is a scheme that blends seamlessly into the local village context.

Sustainability is a key component, featuring:

• High insulation and airtightness approaching Passivhaus level
• Powered by solar panels and air-source heat pumps
• No on-site fossil fuel consumption

• Sustainable drainage systems integrated within the landscaping to address site-level challenges

These measures deliver a low-carbon, low-cost development that reduces energy bills and promotes long-term environmental resilience.

Community Engagement and Feedback

The project faced a major hurdle from the outset, as its location beyond the settlement boundary triggered an automatic in-principle planning objection. WWA and Housing 21 addressed this through extensive and transparent community engagement, working with:

• Thurston Parish Council
• Thurston in Need Relief Charity (TRINC)

• Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Council

This proactive approach addressed local housing needs and community benefits, including a new public bus stop for sustainable travel. Thanks to collaborative planning and sensitive design, the scheme received unanimous planning committee approval. Stakeholder feedback has been positive, with TRINC stating:

“We have engaged with WWA and found them both approachable and helpful in the development of a care home scheme in Thurston.”

Location and Infrastructure

The development is the first of its kind in Thurston. Though semi-rural, the scheme is well-connected, with a new bus stop improving access to nearby services and towns. Essential amenities like shops and GP surgeries are close by, supporting independent living.

Unique Lessons and Transferable Value

Michaelmas Court demonstrates that high-quality supported housing can be:

• Delivered on complex, rural-edge sites
• Fossil fuel-free and environmentally responsible
• Fully inclusive and dementia-friendly
• A multi-use, community-integrated development

Its success stems from the integration of inclusive design, sustainability, and community collaboration, meeting current needs while preparing for future challenges in ageing, climate, and care. The scheme offers a replicable model for rural communities, with lessons in engagement, dementia care, and landscape-led planning that can inform supported housing across the UK.

Our Approach in Action

Michaelmas Court is more than just a development; it is a place where people can live well, age safely, and remain connected to their community. Through inclusive design, collaboration, and environmental leadership, it demonstrates how thoughtful housing can meet today’s needs while anticipating tomorrow’s challenges.

To explore how our team can bring this same holistic approach to your project, please contact our office to start the conversation.
Contact Us: 0123 552 1180