AN ARTIST’S impression of new retirement apartments being built in North Swindon has been revealed by developers.

McCarthy and Stone says the block of 24 separate premises in Lady Lane will offer state-of-the-art facilities for its residents when it opens next summer.

Builders have been on the site for several months and the cranes can be seen for a number of miles, but residents now know what they can expect once the building work has been completed.

The company believes it has the experience necessary to make sure the care home is of the highest standard.

Jacqui Meenan, regional sales and marketing director for McCarthy & Stone, said: “At McCarthy and Stone we specialise in creating beautiful, quality new homes that are built in prime locations around the country.

“We provide 70 per cent of the UK’s privately owned retirement accommodation and we have over 35 years of construction experience behind us.

“Our new development in Swindon is designed to offer all of the above, and we hope by releasing this image we will help bring it to life for people living locally.”

The apartments will be exclusively for people who are over the age of 60.

There will be a high level security system, a 24-hour callout service and a warden.

Permission was granted for the home earlier this year for the apartments, which will be next to the Blunsdon Arms.

Developers pointed to the need for residential care as Swindon's elderly population grows.

Previous studies have shown that there is a lack of adequate provision in North Swindon to cope with the increasing number of elderly residents.

However, there were a number of objections raised when the application was put in. Among them was that the look of the building would not fit in with the surrounding environment.

Several locals were also concerned about the extra traffic the development would bring and some felt there was inadequate parking.

McCarthy and Stone however feel that because of the site’s proximity to the Orbital shopping centre, as well as bus routes to the town centre, Lady Lane is the ideal location.

Anyone who is interested in finding out more about the apartments can contact McCarthy & Stone on 0800 201 4742 or visit www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk for further details.