The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT), reported that the final apartments and cottages at Hartlepool’s innovative new retirement village, Hartfields, have now been completed. The finishing touches were made to the remaining 43 units last month and residents have already begun moving into their new homes.

Among the new residents is Jeff Green, Maintenance Manager for Hartfields. Jeff, along with his wife Moira, picked up the keys to their new home yesterday. Speaking about the move he said: “Before working for the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, I used to walk my dog past the site every day and became interested in the development. When I got the job of Maintenance Manager, I was lucky enough to experience the village first-hand. I was so impressed with what I saw that I jumped at the chance of owning an apartment. I can now look forward to having time to relax and enjoy the on-site leisure facilities, when not on duty.”

Hartfields is a housing and extra care venture for older people and has over 240 homes comprising a mix of one and two-bedroom properties. All homes are fitted with emergency call systems and the on-site care and support team provides 247 assistance.

Residents and local people are also able to enjoy an impressive range of communal facilities including a restaurant and café bar, a healthy living suite with fully equipped gym and spa pool, a convenience store, and a hairdressing salon.

John Kennedy, Director of Care Services at the JRHT, said: “We are delighted that the last homes in the Hartfields scheme have been successfully completed and that more people can benefit from what Hartfields has to offer. We are committed to making Hartfields a really great place to live and an asset to Hartlepool. We hope that Hartfields becomes an exemplar of what can be achieved in retirement communities.”

Properties are available for purchase, part-purchase and rent, depending on individual financial circumstances. In addition, JRHT has introduced some short-term measures to help customers with a property to sell, including ‘buy now pay later’ shared ownership and rental options. People interested should contact the Marketing Office on 01429 855071.

Hartfields is the result of an innovative collaboration between the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT), Hartlepool Borough Council, Hartlepool Primary Care Trust (PCT) and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust.