Lend Lease have lodged a development application for 161 single-level independent living villas and a clubhouse on a six-hectare site the multinational bought for $7.51m.

This will be the second village for Lend Lease in the ACT.

Simon Pagett, general manager of the company’s Retirement Living Development business said they had decided to build single-story villas despite the condition of sale allowing for 225 units.

"Our experience is a lot of our residents are coming from large homes. To then move from this to an apartment is a very big step," he said.

Mr Pagett said single-level living was more appropriate for the Gungahlin site.

Construction is planned to begin this September. The first homes should be available mid-2014.