Member Article

Work commences on £8m retirement scheme

Work has commenced on an £8 million expansion scheme at Middleton Hall Retirement Village near Darlington.

The 25 acre plot was granted planning permission towards the end of 2011, and plans included the creation of 35 independent living, zero carbon bungalows, a small group living care community, cafe, bar and shop.

That main entrance gatehouse, which is being built as a prototype zero carbon home, is almost complete, and will also include accommodation for a member of staff who will have overall responsibility for the grounds and buildings.

In July work is due to commence in the first six properties, as well as infrastructure works for the whole area, formation of a wetland zone, ponds, and the majority of soft landscape areas.

The first properties will be available in early summer 2013.

The project will be led by construction manager Graeme Bell, who has over 35 years of experience in the industry. He said: “One of the things that excited me most about this job was the fact that I would be involved with a team that is going to design and build one of the first carbon neutral developments in the region with a high specification set in beautiful surroundings.

“The biggest challenge is to make sure that it is built to the exacting standards needed for such a groundbreaking development.”

Graeme is no stranger to the Middleton Hall site, having worked with Clarion Homes five years ago to build the complex’s original independent living apartments. This time the project will be slightly different however, as Middleton Hall’s MD Jeremy Walford made the decision to use only local suppliers and small contracting firms.

Graeme will be responsible for managing all contributors to ensure the high quality of construction that is needed to achieve carbon neutral properties.

Commenting on Mr Bell’s appointment, Mr Walford said: “Because he has previously worked at Middleton Hall, we already know what a great asset to our expanding company he will be. He has an outstanding reputation for high standards in construction and is the ideal person to manage our exciting developments over the next few years.”

He now hopes to establish new national standards for retirement living options.

Mr Walford added: “The development is the backbone of our business plan to establish Middleton Hall as the best retirement village in the UK.

“The independent living bungalows will provide the highest standard of accommodation and services in the UK for older people, while the Dementia Community will be built and run in an entirely different way from traditional care homes, with residents living in small households and participating in normal domestic life.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .