Master plans released for retirement units
The concepts for the redevelopment of an Invercargill retirement village have been released.
Peacehaven Village, on Tweed St, has been undergoing preparation for the redevelopment of its site due to its ageing housing stock, with some nearing 70 years old.
Yesterday, the Presbyterian Support Southland (PSS) Trust released its concept master plans for the redevelopment.
The redevelopment will see the construction of at least 35 new two-bedroom occupation right agreement units – units a person can live in until they die – replacing 50 existing single room cottages in the west and central zone of the village.
A mixture of standalone, duplex and triplex units will be built with modern floor layouts, offering a range of pricing and product options.
Trust chief executive Matt Russell said he was excited to share final plans with the community.
“The size of the grounds and sense of space on site is unique to Peacehaven Village and something we’ve retained in our plannings,” Russell said.
“PSS is proud of its long history of providing ages care services in Southland.
‘‘The redevelopment is a key component of ensuring Peacehaven remains a vibrant retirement community, offering stylish, modern and competitively priced accommodation to meet the needs of its current and future residents for many years to come.”
However, not all needs would be met during the redevelopment.
In July 2023, 25 seniors who were living in the site’s rental accommodation were told they would need to find new homes as the redevelopment would erase rental options from the village.
The work was expected to take place over three to five years, with affected renters being given 12 months’ notice of their eviction.
One standalone show unit will be built as soon as possible to allow perspective buyers to get a feel for the redevelopment.
A communal building for residents will be built during the second stage of the redevelopment, designed for amenities and providing space for social activities.
Residents have been asked for feedback on what amenities should be included in this space.
As part of the redevelopment, the trust was working with community partners to see if there was an opportunity to repurpose the existing 50 units for regional housing stock rather than bulldoze them, a spokesperson said.
“A needs assessment and feasibility study has been conducted by PSS and work continues with interested parties.”