RETIREMENT homes could be mixed together with houses aimed at younger buyers in a £50m east Swindon development.

Bosses at Nationwide, which is backing the project for up to 250 homes on the site of the former Oakfield School, said the arrangement would help residents at both ends of the age spectrum.

Stephen Uden, director of social investment, told the Advertiser: “Good communities combine young and old. There’s a lack of provision in Swindon and in fact everywhere of housing for older people.

“We’re working with some specialist architects who are testing ideas of what’s called pepper potting - small groups of houses for older people dotted among the rest.

“There was a lot of support from local people, as well as a number of questions about how it would work. Will the old people have their televisions turned up loud? Will the young people have wild parties? But actually there are lots of communities you see where it does work. Older people can be in to receive deliveries during the day and young people can help with shopping.”

Plans for the scheme will be presented at Pipers Way-based Nationwide’s annual meeting today.