If you’ve read (or watched) The Thursday Murder Club, you’ll know Coopers Chase is no ordinary retirement village. It’s got Pilates, wine tastings, and a gang of pensioners solving cold cases between coffee mornings. But it also raises a few questions. Like who thought Pierce Brosnan could convincingly portray a Trade Unionist? And why would anyone want to redevelop Coopers Chase into luxury flats, when the longer term returns from retirement living are almost certainly more attractive?

That aside, the story taps into something important. The UK’s population is ageing fast. By 2032, the population of over 65’s will have grown by 20% and the population of over 85’s by 38%. That’s not just a demographic shift; it’s a social one. Older people are living longer, often with more complex health needs, and they’re looking for homes that offer safety, support, and a sense of community.

Local authorities are under increasing pressure to meet these needs, especially with adult social care budgets stretched thin. One key strategy being pursued is the development of extra-care housing, a model that blends independent living with flexible, on-site care. These schemes are designed to support independence while reducing reliance on expensive residential care and hospital admissions.

In the private sector, housing choices in later life aren’t just shaped by care needs, they’re increasingly influenced by financial planning. With ongoing discussions around inheritance tax reform, many older people are rethinking how they manage their estates. This is why rental models are gaining traction; they can be part of a broader strategy to release equity, simplify finances, and reduce the taxable value of an estate. Rental models offer flexibility, remove the burden of property maintenance, and open up access to the higher end later living market to those who may not have considered it before.

Despite shared goals around supporting older people to live independently, there’s often a disconnect between local authority strategy and private sector development. Bridging this gap requires better collaboration, clearer planning guidance, and incentives that align commercial viability with public value.

So yes, Coopers Chase might be fiction, but it sparks a real conversation. If we want older people to thrive in later life, we need housing that’s not just aspirational, but inclusive, practical, and care-ready. And that means recognising the value of everything from luxury villages to sheltered council flats, and making sure the full spectrum of housing is part of the plan.