The Chocolate Quarter’s Block D development gets green light

Independent living apartments

Built on the site opposite the Somerdale Pavilion, Block D will be a 5-storey building offering 44 independent living apartments with 33 spaces for off-street parking.

The 44 apartments will be a mix of one and two-beds, with 18 apartments being affordable housing units.

The design includes a new landscaped area for pedestrians between Block D and the Somerdale Pavilion, plus a new entrance to the Pavilion car park off Trajectus Way to ensure ease of access for residents and visitors.

A communal lounge and other facilities will be available within Block D and residents will have access to the services available at The Chocolate Quarter, including the award-winning B-Block pizzeria, a cinema, hairdressers, nail salon, art studio, gym and a volunteer run community shop.

The Trust's long-term commitment

Block D represents the final stage of the Bristol-based charity’s redevelopment of the former Cadbury’s Factory in Keynsham, which included the purchase of the Somerdale Pavilion in September 2019.

David Williams, Chief Executive of the St Monica Trust explains: “This announcement marks the culmination of the St Monica Trust’s long-term commitment to secure the future of the former Cadbury’s Factory site for generations to come.

“Our commitment to the wider Somerdale site has included the purchase of the Somerdale Pavilion when there was the possibility of it closing its doors.

"This shows that the Trust is willing to invest in providing facilities that benefit the wider Keynsham community, in addition to those which are open to the public at The Chocolate Quarter."

Affordable housing

“Developing Block D will not only improve the overall aesthetics of the Somerdale site, but will also fulfill the Trust’s long-held ambition to offer affordable housing at The Chocolate Quarter, as we do at all of the Trust’s other retirement villages.

“The Chocolate Quarter was designed to be an intergenerational community with a wide-range of services to promote mutually beneficial relationships between our residents and the public.

“It is a testament to everyone involved in its development that a retirement village can become a destination of choice for the wider community, with all the ways that that continues to enrich people’s lives on a daily basis.”

KWL Architects

The Trust has engaged leading care sector architects KWL to design and deliver Block D as a continuation of its work with The Chocolate Quarter.

Opened in April 2018 by HRH the Princess Royal, The Chocolate Quarter has gained international recognition as it combines retirement living with a range of facilities which are open to the public.