Ground broken at flat scheme

McCarthy & Stone development on the sea front at Lytham St Annes in Lancashire celebrated the ground breaking with a visit by MP Mark Menzies and pictured with Jon Sheehy (left back) and Steve Burr (right back) from McCarthy & Stone

Mr Menzies also had the opportunity to view forthcoming plans for the development during the visit and said it was vital that older people were ‘able to maintain their independence into retirement’.

He added: “It was a pleasure to formally mark the start of construction at the new development.

“Maintaining independence is incredibly important, and as we are living longer, it’s great to see developments like this which will help homeowners to maintain their lifestyle for as long as possible.”

Designed exclusively for the over 60s, the development, which is the first of its kind in St Annes, will comprise a mix of 36 one and two-bedroom apartments, with the first residents due to move in next year.

Fiona Brooks, regional sales and marketing director at McCarthy and Stone Northern, said: “It was fantastic to welcome everyone down to the development to commemorate the occasion, especially with Mark on hand to place the first spade in the ground.”

The development gives residents the chance to own their home, with security and support services in the same building.