Castle Retirement Living (CRL) has justified the proposal at its new flagship scheme, Castle View Windsor, on the grounds of promoting health and wellbeing, along with safety, but also cited frequency of redecorating among its reasons.

“I think it’s time that the impact of second-hand smoke in a community environment like Castle View Windsor is really considered with some fresh thinking,” said Robin Hughes, CRL’s managing director.

“As most residents will have generous balconies to their apartments, along with universal access to roof terraces, we do not really want these areas to be used by any smokers or guests, potentially impacting on the general amenity of the village with passive smoke.”

The company says it is consulting those who have already reserved apartments off-plan on the proposed smoking plan, not just in communal facilities – but individual apartments too – when it opens in autumn 2018. It is also looking in to the legalities of such a ban.

CRL says it intends to have a clear legal position as to whether a no smoking restriction is legal and enforceable before its second phase of apartments is released in June.

Once complete, the retirement village, situated in the heart of Windsor, will provide 58 apartments for the over 55s, together with an additional 72-bed care home and extensive communal facilities including a rooftop lounge, coffee shop and restaurant. Apartment prices start from £330,000 to £650,000.

Banning smoking in individual apartments bought by residents, as well as in all common areas, would be new territory, the company concedes, but it pointed to Australia where it says such bans have already been trialled at retirement villages.

“To date, 50% of the first phase of apartments have already been reserved off plan and all these residents have confirmed they are non-smokers,” Hughes added. “It is only right we shape the day-to-day management of our new development in consultation with our residents, by exploring their views further, along with the legal position.

“We are committed to promoting both wellbeing and safety at Castle View Windsor in a multitude of ways and, where necessary, we will look at the legal process to try to deliver it – even if we are the first company to try this approach.”