Eastbourne Heights: Setting New Standards in Residential Park Living

Located in the seaside town of Eastbourne, UK, Eastbourne Heights has earned recognition as one of the country’s leading residential parks for people over 45. Beyond its scenic setting and community atmosphere, the park represents a turning point in the career of Royston Cooper, whose first new development on this site became the foundation of a rapidly expanding presence in the UK’s residential park industry.

Over the past decade, the park home sector has undergone significant transformation. An ageing population, rising property prices, and a growing interest in simplified, community-focused living have fuelled demand for residential parks nationwide. Among those driving this evolution is Royston Cooper, a developer whose practical approach and long-term vision have helped redefine what modern park living can offer.

Eastbourne Heights was the project that set that change in motion. Rather than creating a simple housing development, Cooper aimed to build a community — a place where residents could enjoy both independence and social connection. The park features contemporary homes set among landscaped grounds, alongside communal areas designed to encourage interaction and a sense of belonging. Its early success established a model that would guide many of Cooper’s subsequent developments.

From that first venture, Cooper’s ambitions expanded considerably. Today, he and his family operate a portfolio of more than 140 residential parks across the UK. Each site is managed with a focus on environmental sustainability, accessibility, and quality of life — principles that have become central to his business ethos.

The family-run approach is one of the reasons the portfolio has continued to grow steadily. Residents often cite a sense of personal care and community spirit that distinguishes these parks from larger, more corporate developments. That philosophy, Cooper says, stems directly from the lessons learned at Eastbourne Heights.

“Eastbourne Heights wasn’t just a business project,” he recalls. “It was the start of a journey to create places where people could genuinely thrive. Seeing that idea take root in communities across the country has been incredibly rewarding.”

Industry observers credit Cooper with helping to raise expectations of what residential parks can be — moving beyond the traditional image of quiet retirement sites to something more aspirational: well-designed, sustainable communities that support modern living later in life.

As demographic trends continue to point toward increased demand for affordable, low-maintenance housing, Eastbourne Heights stands as a reminder of how thoughtful planning and community-focused design can shape an entire sector. For Royston Cooper, it remains not just the start of a career, but the cornerstone of a lasting contribution to residential living in the UK.