Life is a pleasure in The Rose Garden

8:00am Tuesday 16th September 2008

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A UNIQUE development for the middle-aged and elderly has opened in style in Hereford.

The Rose Garden development on Ledbury Road is billed as a residential village and includes 91 affordable apartments for the over-55s.

It feels like a cruise ship, as facilities range from a gym and salon to a workshop and IT suite. There’s also a bar and restaurant, while activities range from gardening to archery lessons.

Residents started moving-in on Monday but several “village” clubs were formed beforehand to build a community. The first and oldest resident is 94-year-old Gladys Jones, who previously lived in Putson.

“I think it’s a beautiful place – it’s very exciting,” she said.

Herefordshire Council, Elgar Housing and the ExtraCare Charitable Trust are behind the scheme, which should be fully occupied by November. The apartments are aimed at local residents in need of housing care or looking to buy or rent at affordable prices.

Champagne, canapes and a choir featured at last week’s grand opening. Jonathan Slade, Elgar Housing chairman, said: “What’s impressed me is the speed and quality of what’s here, as it was built in less than two years. It’s hugely impressive and probably unique to Hereford-shire and Worcestershire.”