A NEW £2.3million ‘age friendly’ development for the over-55s is to be built in Bolton this year.

Great Places Housing Group is set to build 18 one-bedroom cottage-style apartments in Horace Street, Halliwell, as part of its extensive development plan across the north.

The new development will replace the former St Joseph’s parish centre after planning permission was received.

The new homes will be built with the needs of elderly people in mind and to accommodate for their needs.

These include wet rooms, intercom systems for upstairs flats and wider than standard parking spaces.

Great Places said that they have been working closely to ensure they focus on future proofing the new homes through enhanced specification.

They have worked with the specialist team at Invisible Creations to utilise their range of products, which will allow residents to remain in their homes as they age with zero - or very minor - adaptations required.

The work will be the first scheme delivered by the Great Places’ in-house construction company Terra Nova Developments Limited.

Crompton councillor Hanif Darvesh said that he strongly welcomed the development and hoped to see more in the future.

He said: "In terms of these kind of developments, it's something that I have been talking about for some time now.

"The problem in our ward is that so many houses are pre-World War Two housing and it is so difficult to adapt them for people when they are two-up two-down houses. It can be difficult to get things like stair-lifts in them.

"There should be more money put aside for them. I welcome this development because they are much-needed for people whose houses can't be adapted.

"Building these places from scratch is perfect. There is a big demand and it is great to see firms making them."

Helen Spencer, Great Places’ director of development, said: “We have worked with the local authority and identified that there is a real need for this type of accommodation in the area and we’re delighted to be able to provide what the local community needs.

“The apartments have been carefully designed to enable our future customers to live independently for as long as possible.

“Great Places is working hard to tackle the housing crisis and we’re delighted to be able to develop these new homes in Bolton.”

The new development is expected to be completed by the end of the year.