Situated less than 2 miles from the centre of the UK's oldest recorded town, our Colchester development is within easy reach of both local amenities and a variety of attractions and places of interest. Not only does this development have a lot to offer right on its doorstep, but it also gives you the opportunity to own your home while receiving the support and care you need.
All 53 apartments, of which there are one and two beds available, have been designed with you in mind. Elegant design meets functionality in all apartments, with some featuring a balcony, ample storage, spacious living areas, and plugs and sockets placed at waist-height for your comfort and convenience. The Homeowners lounge and landscaped garden are tastefully designed spaces in which you can enjoy a tea or coffee and a chat with your fellow homeowners. Lancer House is a Retirement Living PLUS development, meaning flexible and individually tailored care packages are provided to meet all your personal support needs. The development is staffed 24 hours a day, led by the qualified Estates Manager, and a 24/7 call system provides emergency response. Camera entry ensures your safety and security, and accessibility is ensured throughout, with lifts to all floors. So you can relax knowing everything is taken care of. There's even an onsite and great-value bistro for when you don't feel like cooking.
On the doorstep you'll find a local supermarket (a 2-minute walk), and there's a medical centre and a pharmacy less than a mile away. Fancy venturing a little further? There's both car parking and a scooter room on site, and public transport is readily accessible. The train station is just a mile away (providing a direct service to London Liverpool Street), and the bus stop is a 2-minute walk.
Development Highlights
- Local supermarket just a 2-minute walk away
- 24 hour assistance (365 days a year)
- On-site restaurant serving cooked meals and light bites
- Beautifully maintained gardens
- Car parking available
- Elegant design of all apartments
Key Features
- Car Club
- 24 hour staffing
- Wheelchair access
- Lifts to all floors
- Camera entry system
- 24/7 call system
- Lounge Wi-Fi access
- Function Room
- Estates Manager
Virtual Tours
See for yourself what Lancer House has to offer with virtual tours of our two bedroom apartment, guest suite, and communal lounge. To get the best experience, click the full screen icon with the four arrows below in the bottom left menu bar.
Site Plan




Great Homes for Sale
Explore properties
Occupancy options
The properties at this development are leasehold properties with a term of 999 years from and including 01/01/2019
* To be offset against your initial payment and fully refundable should your tenancy not proceed
What is an Assured Tenancy?
Assured Tenancy means that you agree to rent the property for a minimum term of 12 months, but after that you can leave at any time as long as you give two months written notice. We can’t ask you to leave unless you have broken the terms of the agreement.
I want to rent. What checks do you carry out and what do I need to prepare?
We’ll ask you to complete a Rental Application Pack and an Income and Expenditure form to get the information we need to do standard background checks. You’ll be asked for proof of income, savings and/or pensions, along with copies of your last three months’ bank statements. You’ll be asked to provide identification documentation that complies with the latest Government Right to Rent regulations – our sales consultants will talk you through what you need.
Do I need to pay a reservation deposit?
Yes, you will need to pay a small refundable reservation deposit to reserve the property. You will also have to pay a security deposit equivalent to five weeks rent when you move in.
What do I have to pay before moving in?
Before you can move into your property, you will need to pay the first month’s rent together with your security deposit, minus the reservation deposit you’ve already paid.
The security deposit is equivalent to five weeks rent. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure you know the exact amount you need to pay in plenty of time.
McCarthy Stone is part of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, membership number G10625. Download the Tenancy Deposit Scheme leaflet.
What date are rental payments due?
All rental payments are due on the 1st of each month and must be paid by direct debit. Your rent includes all of the development’s service charges, ground rents and property maintenance.
It’s an affordable approach to owning a stunning new retirement home:
- You may be able to access cash tied up in your existing property (known as ‘equity release’)
- You can choose to buy a bigger percentage of the property in the future – this reduces the rent you pay
- If you want, we can buy your existing property as a part exchange
- You’ll be eligible for our free Smooth Move removal service, plus a contribution to legal and estate agent fees
The rent is set at the point of purchase. Annual rent review on the date specified in your lease will be indexed to movements in the Retail Price Index (RPI) subject to a minimum 0.5%. RPI has been in the range c.1-4% since 2013 and was 3.3% in March 2018. 3.3% is equivalent to an extra £1.98 per week for typical rent of £60 per week.
What is Part buy, part rent?
A flexible, affordable alternative to outright purchase, with all the benefits of ownership. For more information call: 0800 201 4811
How it works
You purchase a minimum 50% share in a brand new McCarthy Stone retirement property and pay rent on the part you don’t own.
Benefits include:
It’s an affordable approach to owning a stunning new retirement home
- You may be able to access cash tied up in your existing property (known as ‘equity release’)
- You can choose to buy a bigger percentage of the property in the future – this reduces the rent you pay
- If you want, we can buy your existing property as a part exchange
- You’ll be eligible for our free Smooth Move removal service, plus a contribution to legal and estate agent fees
Is private shared ownership available at all McCarthy Stone developments?
No. This offer is available at selected McCarthy Stone developments, so make sure you check with the sales team on site.
What % of the property do I have to purchase?
70% is the standard option – there are options to increase this over time, known as staircasing.
What is staircasing and how does it work?
What further costs and fees are involved You can purchase further 10% increments, based on valuation at that point. You can staircase to 100% at which point the property would be wholly owned. You would stop paying rent, but service charges continue to be payable to McCarthy Stone.
Each time you staircase you need to plan for additional costs such as valuation fee, legal expenses, SDLT*/LTT** if applicable.
*Stamp Duty Land Tax **Land Transaction Tax (LTT) has replaced SDLT in Wales from April 2018
Do I pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) or Land Transaction Tax (LTT) on a private shared ownership property?
You will need to pay SDLT*/LTT** on a private shared ownership property, but you may have less to pay than if you had purchased outright. You should seek advice from your solicitor to confirm how much SDLT you have to pay.
*Stamp Duty Land Tax **Land Transaction Tax (LTT) has replaced SDLT in Wales from April 2018
How much rent will I have to pay and how will that change over time with rent reviews?
The rent is set at the point of purchase. Annual rent review on the date specified in your lease will be indexed to movements in the Retail Price Index (RPI) subject to a minimum 0.5%. RPI has been in the range c.1-4% since 2013, and was 3.3% in March 2018. 3.3% is equivalent to an extra £1.98 per week for typical rent of £60 per week.
Living at Lancer House
Watch: Discover retirement living with McCarthy Stone at Lancer House in Colchester

Send me a brochure
Tell us how you would like to receive your brochure: by Email, Post or PDF download.
Living in Colchester
Colchester provides fascinating cultural, educational and leisure opportunities for all. The town centre is just 1.8 miles from the development and offers an abundance of restaurants and cafes, great shopping spots, several banks, and a variety of museums and galleries. The River Colne also runs through Colchester, along which you can enjoy beautiful, revitalizing walks. Visit Colchester Castle and you'll be led through 2000 years of some of the most important events in British history. The castle is home to some of Britain's most important historical finds, including some of the finest examples of Roman ceramic art and jewellery - the Colchester Vase and the Fenwick Treasure are two particular highlights.
At the Natural History Museum, all the family can gain fascinating insights into wildlife habitats, biodiversity and climate change, with collections focusing on north-east Essex in particular. Find out about the creatures that used to roam locally, including mammoths and even hippos. Colchester Zoo is another great place to take the family. Set in 60 acres of parkland and lakes, it is home to over 260 species, from elephants and giraffes - which you can hand-feed at daily public feeding sessions - to sea lions that will swim overhead as you walk through the 24-m tunnel. What's more, you'll come away from the zoo knowing you've made a difference, with all visits helping to fund the zoo's charity, Action for the Wild, which assists conservation projects worldwide.
For keeping active and enjoying the great outdoors, Colchester Golf Club is just over 2 miles away. An 18-hole course beautifully designed by five-time Open Champion James Braid, it is a non-profit member's club. Colchester Indoor Bowls Club is also just half a mile from the development. Open all year round, it caters for all ages and always welcomes new members.