A retirement community in Chester has earned national recognition after being shortlisted for a prestigious sustainability award.

The Wyldewoods retirement community has been shortlisted for The Anna Whitehead Prize for Sustainability at the 2026 British Institute of Interior Design Awards.

The award recognises interior and architectural projects where sustainability has been embedded at every stage, from design and construction through to long-term operation and impact.

Located close to Chester city centre, The Wyldewoods features purpose-built homes alongside shared amenities including a pavilion and clubhouse, designed to support a community-focused later-life living environment.

The development is the first Thrive Living community, delivered under Retirement Villages Group's (RVG) net-zero strategy, and is being positioned as a benchmark for low-carbon retirement living.

Incorporating net-zero carbon operations, the scheme uses fossil fuel-free energy systems, circular design principles, and a 20% biodiversity net gain, meaning the site supports significantly more ecological diversity than it did prior to development.

The landscape-led masterplan was developed in collaboration with architects RCKa, and places homes, gardens and a central community square at its core. The layout encourages walking, social interaction and stronger connections with nature and the surrounding neighbourhood.

RVG chief executive Tim Seddon said the recognition reflects the organisation's wider Thrive Living approach.

advertisement

He said: "This recognition reflects the direction we're taking across our Thrive Living collection, creating places where people can live independently while staying connected to the community around them.

"At The Wyldewoods, sustainability isn't an add-on, it underpins how the community works day to day - supporting quality of life for residents and long-term value for the future."

Bernard Interiors founder and creative director Jen Bernard also highlighted the collaborative nature of the project.

She said: "The Wyldewoods demonstrates that when sustainability is embedded within the brief and supported by a committed project team, design can become a catalyst for both social and environmental impact."

The winners of the BIID Awards will be announced later this year.