WHG Wren (See LSE:WREN)

RNS Number:1926T
Wren Homes Group PLC
25 April 2008



28 April 2008

                              Wren Homes Group Plc
                       ("Wren" or "the Company") (WHG/L)

                      First "Extra Care" Planning Consent


Wren Homes Group Plc ("Wren"), the retirement housing specialist, announces
today that detailed planning permission for its first 'Extra Care' housing
scheme has been granted for the development of circa one and a half acres, in
the Tandridge area of Surrey, comprising of 54, one and two bedroom units.

The Company's concept of repositioning its business towards the care sector, is
as a result of a carefully researched and well conceived strategic move, now
underpinned by the granting of this planning consent, as its retirement housing
schemes include an increasing number of health and care options for the ageing
population of its residents,

Wren sees its move into this second generation of retirement living, "Extra
Care", as defined by the Government**, as a step closer to the provision of a
wider range of services to support the independent elderly, so that they may
continue to live for longer, comfortably and secure, in their own homes.

The Tandridge site was secured some fifteen months ago. Following Wren's recent
exercise of its option over it for #2.8 million, this planning consent
significantly increases both the value of the site and the overall value and
potential profitability of the scheme. Consequently, Wren is at an advanced
stage with its plans for the funding of this proposed development.


Commenting, Paul Treadaway, CEO Wren Homes said:

"I am delighted that Wren has been granted planning consent to roll-out this
first of hopefully many 'Extra Care' housing schemes throughout the South of
England. It represents the creation of a second generation of housing for the
'active' elderly, and an exciting entry by Wren into a market that is
significantly underdeveloped, but that is growing exponentially... I look
forward to the future with excitement and considerable confidence."


*ONS 2004-based - rounded to nearest hundred

The Office for National Statistics ("ONS") has recently forecast that, in terms
of population age bands, Tandridge will see between 2004 and 2026 a rise of 65
per cent. in the number of its residents aged over eighty.


** "The Extra Care Housing toolkit" by The Care Services Improvement
Partnership, Department of Health 2006. "Extra Care Housing" has gained
prominence as the generic description of housing with care support and is
described in the Toolkit as: "Purpose built accommodation in which varying
amounts of care and support can be offered and where some services are shared."


Ends



Enquiries:

Wren Homes Group plc
Paul Treadaway, Managing Director    Tel: 01372 742 244
www.wrenhomesplc.co.uk

Shore Capital
Alex Borrelli                        Tel: 020 7408 4090

Adventis Financial PR
Tarquin Edwards                      Tel: 020 7034 4758 / 07879 458 364
Chris Steele                         Tel: 020 7034 4759 / 07979 604 687





                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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