PLANNERS have approved a new 62 apartment retirement development for Poundbury.

The collection of one and two bedroom properties will offer assisted living for those aged over 70 on a private basis adjacent to Queen Mother Square.

Retirement property developer McCarthy and Stone has welcomed the decision of West Dorset District Council to approve the planning application and plans to start work on site in July.

It claims the development will be the first of its kind in the district.

Regional sales and marketing director Aileen King said: “Approval for such a prominent site is an exciting opportunity to provide a unique housing solution for the over 70s.

“Our assisted living development will be the first of its kind in West Dorset.

“It will increase the options for continued home ownership later in life in a location that supports our own principal of creating communities.”

The apartments will offer people over 70 the chance to retain home ownership while also having access to flexible care and support packages and domestic assistance.

They will be located in what is intended to be the heart of the completed Duchy of Cornwall development at Poundbury, with Queen Mother Square already boasting a Waitrose and hosting farmers markets.

The facilities at the development – which will be known as Bowes Lyon Court – will include 25,000 square feet of communal areas boasting a shared lounge, landscaped atriums, an on-site restaurant, a guest suite, laundry room and a lift.

A dedicated estate manager will oversee the running of the development and there will be staff on site 24 hours a day with a security entrance and 24-hour emergency call points offering residents and their families peace of mind.

The properties will also be specifically designed to be low maintenance and energy efficient.

McCarthy and Stone has been building retirement apartments for over 35 years and has overseen the construction of more than 45,000 apartments in 1,000 different schemes.

To find out more about the development at Poundbury or to register an interest call 0800 201 4742 or visit mccarthyandstone.co.uk