St George’s Park, Ditchling, has been voted the UK’s Best Retirement Development 2008 in the prestigious What House property industry awards. This is the second award this year, coming a few months after the development won a Pinders Healthcare Design Award in April.

The retirement village is set in 250 acres of rolling lawns, resplendent landscaped gardens and extensive farmland located just north of the South Downs, an area of outstanding natural beauty.

A total of 235 apartments are being built on this country estate owned by the Augustinian Order. All the units in the first phase and second phases have now sold, with 100 people currently enjoying living in one of the most visionary developments for the over 60s available on the market.

According to What House, St. George’s Park ‘has it all, including an unbeatable location in the South Downs of Sussex’.

In the Judge’s Report, it states: “In short, St. George’s Park is where, regardless of ability, residents can enjoy their retirement to the full in the manner that best suits them – whether that’s in the gym, the library or on one of the allotments. The bar for retirement villages has definitely been raised.”

Philip Smith, Marketing Director at St George’s Park,said he was thrilled with the result: “This is a real feather in the cap for the entire team here at Augustinian Living. For the past four years, we’ve been working hard to create a retirement development with a difference and it is great to be recognised for this.

And Brendan Redmond, Relationship Director at Bank of Ireland, which is backing the scheme, says: “This award is well deserved. We have a longstanding relationship with the team behind St George’s

Park and we’ve been impressed by their approach from the outset. Throughout the project they’ve shown an unswerving commitment to create a development, which represents the future in terms of integrated assisted living provision. We are delighted to have been able to support them.”

The panel of judges made up of experienced journalists, broadcasters, architects and landscape gardeners. The winners were announced at a Gala presentation lunch held at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

Phase III is due for completion in Spring 2009 with prices starting at £340,000. For further information contact the sales office on 01444 259732 or visit www.stgeorgespark.co.uk.

Ends

Notes to editors

The What House? Awards are the most highly respected symbols of prestige and excellence in housebuilding, giving winners the ultimate sales and marketing edge over the competition. The What House? brand boasts the best editorial pedigree in writing about new homes, and whose coverage of the housebuilding market spans almost 100 years.

A panel of property experts selected by What House? independently judges shortlisted entrants. The awards are open to all housebuilders and developers, large and small, as well as housing associations.

For more press information, contact David Taylor at Adventis PR on 020 7034 4723 or dtaylor@adventis.co.uk
For Bank of Ireland press information, please contact Sandra Grandison on 0203 201 6509 or Claire Gorman on Tel 0203 201 6510.