A NEW retirement complex in Romsey had help from the Mayor of Romsey to break the ground it will stand on.

Mayor Councillor Karen Dunleavey and chair of Romsey Extra, Councillor John Parker, were special guests at McCarthy Stone’s newest retirement living development in Abbotswood Common Road last week.

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Cllr Dunleavey and Cllr Parker joined McCarthy Stone’s site manager, Alex MacKenzie to take a closer look at development plans and mark construction at the site.

The new development will be made up of a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments exclusively designed for the over 60s. The properties will be available to buy off-plan in autumn 2022 and first occupants are expected in 2024.

Cllr Dunleavey said: “It was a pleasure to visit the site of McCarthy Stone’s new development in Romsey as construction is now well underway. It was a great opportunity to meet the site manager and hear first-hand about the developer’s newest retirement community, which will help to meet the housing needs of retirees in Romsey and the surrounding areas.”

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Verity McKay, marketing manager for McCarthy Stone Southern said: “We are delighted Councillor Dunleavey and Councillor Parker were able to take the time to visit our Romsey site.

“McCarthy Stone is committed to designing flexible homes which allow people to make the most of their retirement years, so it was great to be able to showcase the plans for the high-quality apartments that will eventually be available at this new development in Romsey.”

Once complete, McCarthy Stone’s Romsey development will feature a communal lounge, landscaped gardens and benefit from a house manager.