Abbeyfield’s HAPPI Regency Mews: Regenerating extra care housing in York
Housing LIN Case Study (No. 176) explores Abbeyfield’s Regency Mews in York – a compelling example of how older people’s housing can be regenerated to meet the evolving needs of today’s and tomorrow’s ageing population through inclusive, community-focused design.
Co-authored by Lesley Tattershall (Abbeyfield York Society), Abdul A Ravat (Abbeyfield Living Society), and Mark Henderson (Brewster Bye Architects), the study captures a decade-long transformation project that responds to urgent housing and care challenges for older adults.
Regency Mews is a £6.44 million extension to Abbeyfield House in Dringhouses, York, delivering 25 high-quality, dementia-friendly apartments (19 for rent and 6 for sale). Informed by the HAPPI design principles and Stirling University’s dementia-friendly guidelines, the scheme prioritises accessibility, sustainability, and social connection.
Key takeaways include:
Integration of care within a vibrant, non-institutional community setting
Fully accessible apartments and landscaped sensory gardens
Energy-efficient, all-electric design featuring solar panels and EV charging
Strong local partnerships and a bespoke Day Service supporting wider community needs
Officially opened in April 2025 by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, the scheme is already strengthening intergenerational ties and enhancing residents’ quality of life – offering a blueprint for the future of extra care housing across the UK.
