Trust's newest development to be named Millstream

A naming competition held for residents and colleagues at The Chocolate Quarter was won by Jane Lucas. Jane has been a resident at The Chocolate Quarter since November 2017 and was one of the very first residents to move in.

A former midwife from Bristol, Jane’s winning entry was inspired by The Chocolate Quarter’s proximity to the River Avon and the nearby Saltford Brass Mill, which provided the power for the Bristol Brass Company in the 18^th Century.

Jane said: “The new name for Block D had been announced at a residents’ meeting while I was away, but they hadn’t said who came up with the winning entry. It was such a lovely surprise when Roger and Tara arrived at my apartment with an enormous bouquet of flowers.

“When thinking of a suitable name, I knew that it had to start with a different letter to Riverhouse and Brookmead. Like the names of the other blocks at The Chocolate Quarter, it also had to have a connection with water and the Brass Mill is such an important part of the River Avon’s history.”

Affordable housing

Millstream will be a 5-storey building offering 44 independent living apartments and operate at carbon net zero.

The 44 apartments will be a mix of one and two-beds, with 18 apartments being affordable housing units for residents nominated by Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Completion of the Trust’s newest development is expected in September 2025.

Head of Retirement Villages, Roger Hayward said: “Before moving in, Jane and her late husband were part of the original focus group that helped inform the design and services available within The Chocolate Quarter.

“The fact that Jane was involved in the creation of The Chocolate Quarter and has now named the building which will mark the completion of the Trust’s redevelopment of the former Somerdale Factory, means we couldn’t think of a more apt winner.”