NEWS
PLANS UNVEILED FOR £100MILLION RETIREMENT VILLAGE FOR TEES VALLEY
31/05/2012Maher Developments Ltd is working on an ambitious £100million development in Yarm that will bring hundreds of jobs and major overseas investment into the Tees Valley.
The company is planning to submit an outline planning application for a retirement village at Mount Leven Farm, Leven Bank Road, Yarm and is to hold a pre-application public consultation.
A consultation 'drop-in' event is being held on Wednesday 6th June at Mount Leven Farm from 5pm-7pm to give the local community the opportunity to view the plans, make comments and to allow people living nearby the opportunity to influence the character of the development.
The aim is to build an integrated village community for older and retired people with high quality buildings constructed to Level 5 of the Code of Sustainable Homes, with social, cultural and leisure facilities. Prices will range from £140,000 to £250,000.
It will be the first community of its kind on this scale in the UK and will act as a blueprint for Maher Developments and its Middle East investors who hope to create up to 20 such schemes across the country.
The development will involve 450 properties that will mainly consist of one-bedroom and two bedroomed bungalows. Ten per cent will be affordable housing for people working at the development such as care staff, gardeners, cleaners and estate maintenance staff.
A recent report by Lord Best concluded that building 100,000 homes designed especially for the needs of an ageing population would also help house 350,000 other people. This development will free up much needed family homes in the area as people downsize from their existing properties, reducing the need for traditional large scale housing developments on the periphery of the area.
The impact on Yarm will be wholly positive. The development will have its own doctor's surgery; the demographic of the residents make it less likely they will be travelling at peak times but will have a disposable income to spend in the town's shops and restaurants.
In addition to the housing the facilities planned for the site, all of which will be fully accessible to people with disabilities, include:
- Cafe, restaurant and bar - (self sufficient)
- Communal lounges
- IT Room
- Library
- Shop
- Function room
- Hair salon, therapy room, gym and swimming pool
- Sports facilities including tennis and badminton courts and a bowling green
- Allotments
- Luxury coaches for regular outings and shopping trips
- A luxury care home with 24 hour dementia and nursing care
- A safe and secure environment
- Landscaped and natural extensive grounds
Javed Majid of Maher Developments, who owns the land, is also planning to hand over 60 acres to the public as a country park and nature reserve. He will also offer the former Derek Campbell site on Yarm High Street, worth around £1.5million, for additional parking for the town.
Javed Majid said: "This project will bring the Tees Valley massive investment, jobs and the opportunity to lead the way in which older people live.
"I have spent several years researching developments like this across the world, particularly in the USA, Australia and the UAE.
"It is not just property we are building but a whole lifestyle and a range of living options for the over 50s, from completely independent living through to nursing care.
"I am hugely excited about this development and the benefits for the Tees Valley. It will meet the needs and aspirations of the older generation and have a major positive impact on the local and regional economy.
"I want to maintain an open dialogue with the local community and engage with them to ensure that this innovative development is embraced by all. I also want to give something back to the area I have lived and worked in for so long, hence the donation of some of my land for the public to enjoy and for the council to utilise as parking."