Elderly set to benefit from £1m investment

Apr 30 2008 Evening Gazette

THE NORTH’S first retirement village is investing up to £1m to create a healthy living community for elderly residents.

Middleton Hall Retirement Village will invest £500,000 in a healthy living centre and a “significant” sum in an all-weather bowling green at Middleton Woods after completing a £2m buy-out of the firm’s joint venture partner.

The centre, which is scheduled to be complete by the end of the year, will include a swimming pool, gym and jacuzzi, and ancillary services, including laundry cleaning.

Stockton-born Jeremy Walford, Middleton Hall’s managing director, said: “We are aiming to create an environment where residents can lead healthy, active lives.”

Middleton Hall will retain sole control of the development after buying out Lancashire-based Homes for Woodford.

In June 2006 Middleton had joined forces with builder Clarion Homes to create 29 luxury retirement homes on 20 acres of land between Darlington and Yarm, but Clarion was then bought out by Woodford.

Following the latest acquisition, Clarion Homes will complete the development on behalf of Middleton Hall.

Mr Walford, who moved back to the region from London in 1997, said two thirds of the apartments had been sold, including “around half a dozen since the end of February”.

Prices range from £140,000 to £218,000.