McCarthy and stone have launched a new development. Brian Page went along to find out what attracts older people to community living.

THE room is packed. There are well over 60 people present, mostly couples but with singletons dotted around.

Those on their own don’t appear to feel lonely – because there is a curious connection taking place, with people happily chatting away to complete strangers. Not even moved in to their homes and already they are perfect neighbours.

“Ah, yes, companionship,” says Steve Secker, “we find that is one of the strengths of our communities.”

By communities, Steve, regional managing director of retirement home specialists McCarthy and Stone, means the developments his company is building and managing throughout the country.

The latest of which, Smithson Court at Copmanthorpe, had its sales launch last week. We popped along to discover what it is that is attracting so many older people to the idea of purpose built and run retirement homes.

Steve, with an almost messianic glint in the eye, is enthusiastic with his answers.

“As I say companionship is a really strong reason, we find that people develop a very strong sense of community, helped by the fact that there is a smart residents lounge where people can meet up.”

Or not, depending on your mood, apparently. “The other point to make is that if you simply want to spend time on your own you have your own front door and very much your own home and you can choose to either join in or not.

“There is very much a sense of freedom of choice about the lifestyle you want, doing what you want when you want. And then you have the security of knowing there are trained centre managers on hand for any emergencies.”

Community, independence and security as he is to point to as the three key cornerstones of what life will offer at Smithson Court.

But what kind of people are moving into McCarthy and Stone homes? Well, quite a lot of them for a start. The company has built some 50,000 apartments in 1,000 locations across the UK and is planning a further 12,000 in the next four years.

And, says Steve, there is a wide range of people moving into those homes. Mostly over-60s, they can range from those with second homes abroad who want a secure lock up and leave property at home to those who are simply looking for an easy, relaxed lifestyle where all the chores – from window cleaning to gardening to external maintenance – are taken care of.

So much for the people then, what about the properties?

The sales launch provided us with a preview of the apartment layout styles that will be on offer in Companthorpe.

There will be 28 apartments here, tucked away on Top Lane, handy for the centre of the village and local amenities but also for trips into York or for taking off on the A64 east and west.

Of those, eight will be one-bed apartments. These typically offer a spacious living room with a kitchen which has a range of integrated appliances in place including a full height fridge-freezer and an oven and ceramic hob. There is a bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and a shower room.

The two-bed apartments offer even more space with a large (18.5ft long) living room and a similarly well-fitted kitchen. The master bedroom here has a walk in wardrobe and an en-suite bathroom while the second bedroom sits next to a shower room.

The style is contemporary yet with traditional touches and most of the homes will have either a Juliet balcony, walk-out balcony or, in the case of the ground floor apartments, a patio garden area.

The homes here are all fitted with underfloor heating, have camera entry systems for security and each apartment has an allocated parking space.

Now to the nitty gritty. What does all this community, freedom and security cost?

The initial outlay will be the purchase costs, with prices for the one-bed apartments starting at £209,999 and the two-bed homes ranging from £299,999.

You will then have to factor in the community charges which pay for all the maintenance and management at the development.

For one bed apartments the charge is £48 per week and for the two-beds it is £69.34 per week (both include water rates).

And now, a final flourish from McCarthy and Stone. With delightful timing the company discovered, on the eve of the sales launch, that it had achieved a five-star customer satisfaction rating in an independent survey carried out for the Home Builders Federation – for a tenth consecutive year.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Contact Smithson Court sales executive Melva Lawrence. Tel: 01904 778579. Email: Melva.Lawrence@mccarthyandstone.co.uk