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Richard Barrett’s property group, Bartra. is planning a five-storey, 39-unit, build-to-rent apartment scheme for Blackrock in south Dublin aimed at an older demographic - complete with two roof-top hot tubs.
In the plans lodged for Woodlands Park with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, a planning consultant  for Bartra Property Ltd said that the concept “is to provide high-quality, specialist, age-appropriate housing for older people close to their existing communities, promoting vibrant retirement communities where people can enjoy a healthier and more active retirement”.
Scheme
The independent living scheme – made up of 35 one-bedroom units and four two–bedroom units – also includes a Trackman golf simulator room for enthusiasts .
The proposed scheme’s other residential facilities include a cinema, meeting room/family dining room, a library/reading room, gym, kitchen, hydrotherapy room, hairdressing room, massage room and private member’s club room with espresso bar.
The site is located 450m from the junction connecting the N11 and the N31 and a 20-minute walk from the centre of Blackrock and Stillorgan.
Planning consultant Kevin Hughes of Hughes Planning & Development Consultants said that “social interaction is important, but perhaps more than ever later in life and the proposed development scheme reflects this by seeking to provide a caring, safe and secure environment, which promotes healthy living and wellbeing”.
In a submission, Mr Hughes said that “the goal is to create a close-knit community through shared spaces, lounges and amenity areas, and to fundamentally change the way retirement housing is understood and delivered”. 
“Central to this goal, is the idea that everyone, irrespective of age, shares the aspiration to live in a beautifully designed and socially inclusive environment. This is supported by first-class services and maintenance regimes,” he said.
Opportunity
Mr Hughes added that “additionally, by providing people with the opportunity to downsize – or rightsize – to appropriate accommodation as a positive and proactive choice the development of later living accommodation has the effect of freeing up under-occupied existing housing stock, suitable for families in established areas”.
The planning submission said that the proposed apartments and ancillary amenity facilities “will create a warm and friendly community that will provide safe accommodation for its residents. It is envisaged that the proposed development will be much sought after once completed due to the high-quality apartments and amenities”.
Pointing to the need for such developments, the planning submission said that a Trinity College Dublin’s 2017 study ‘The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing’ projects that by 2030, one in five people residing in Ireland will be 65 years or older.
The council is due to make a decision on the Blackrock scheme in May.