The later living developer has signed up Higgins Partnerships to deliver Botanical Place in West Byfleet.

Steve Leakey, managing director of Higgins Partnerships said: “While market conditions have been difficult to navigate, our close working relationship with Retirement Villages Group has enabled us to bring forward a viable programme.”

RVG’s James Ahearne, Development Director said: “Botanical Place will be the UK’s first whole life, net-zero carbon retirement community and the blueprint for all our future developments as we help lead the way on sustainability, in the retirement sector.

“The team at Higgins Partnerships shares our commitment to quality, sustainability and the community.”

Botanical Place is being developed as an integrated retirement community at the centre of the village of West Byfleet, on the site of the former Sheer House office block and shopping precinct.

Botanical Place is a flagship project for RVG highlighting its commitment to expanding into more central and semi-urban locations following a £2bn investment programme by parent organisation AXA IM Alts.