A RETIREMENT village in Tetbury has been shortlisted for a major design award.

Steepleton retirement development is one of 59 projects in the running for 15 prizes at the Housing Design Awards later this month.

Designed by architects Proctor, the development of 114 apartments will be on the site occupied by Autonumis Ltd in Cirencester Road. Work will begin on the site in August.

Prices for the apartments have not been announced but they will only be available to people aged over 60.

Developer Pegasus has said that the centre of Steepleton will house a ‘village hall’ with a lounge, library, bar and an open kitchen for dining.

The hall will also host a series of cultural and musical events open to the wider public, such as Tetbury Open Gardens and the Tetbury Food and Drink Festival.

The awards ceremony, held on at the London School of Economics on July 13 will be attended by Brandon Lewis MP, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning.

Cllr Sue Jepson, Cotswold District Council cabinet member for planning and housing, said: “You only have to look at the plans for the Steepleton site and you realise that this is something special.

“Each apartment will be built around a courtyard garden and there will also be a wellbeing suite, a fitness studio, a café and guest suites for visitors.

“The planners at the council have worked hard with the architects and the developer to ensure that the build quality will be superb. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the judges will recognise the merits of this planned development.”