Fife Council have approved plans to create a new community for older people in central St Andrews.

Bield Housing & Care, has been providing quality housing and services for older people in Scotland for more than 40 years and has identified the Walled Garden development in the St Leonards area as addressing the need for suitable housing for older residents.

The project, which will cost £18m, is a joint partnership between Robertson Homes and Bield and will see 78 one and two-bedroom apartments delivered within the Walled Garden site.

The application is an amended version of a previously approved plan for 48 larger properties in the same area.

Eligibility criteria will see the homes marketed to people aged 60+ for use as their primary residence, with the properties being made available for 75% of the market value with a 25% stake held by Bield Housing. The shared ownership model will give tenants the opportunity to buy the remaining 25% share after one year.

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The development is being funded through sales income and private finance and is the first time this approach has been used to deliver affordable special needs housing in Fife.

Up to 40 jobs will be created during the construction process, and will sustain more than 100 in the immediate supply chain.

Brian Logan, Chief Executive at Bield, said: "From its very beginnings, Bield has specialised in providing affordable homes for older people, particularly through innovative solutions.

"With an ever-increasing ageing population, our services have never been more necessary. This partnership with Robertson Homes demonstrates our willingness to continue to look creatively at solutions to the challenges being faced.

"Responding to these needs is central to our 'Free to Be' vision for older people – not just providing a home and care but helping older people to live independently for longer."

John Murphy, Managing Director at Robertson Homes, added: "This new development will create much needed homes with the properties designed to be easily adaptable to help older people stay independent for as long as possible.

"We have placed great importance on creating properties which blend into the historic character of the town and are confident that when people see the plans they will support our vision to regenerate the St Leonards area.

"There is an acknowledged lack of suitable housing stock for older people – those who are often best placed to downsize to properties which better meet their needs."

The houses have been designed with older people in mind. The flats will be accessible by lift while internal spaces are all easy to get around. Each property will also have access to Bield's in-house emergency response service, BR24.

(JP/CD)