Gloucester village for elderly opens at old cattle site

The village has 166 low-cost homes for rent or purchase and 24-hour on-site care staff.

A village for elderly people, which aims to help cut dependency on health services, has opened in Gloucester.

The £29m St Oswald's development, at the city's old cattle market site, has 166 low-cost homes for rent or purchase and 24-hour on-site care staff.

The scheme's partners include the city and county councils and the ExtraCare Charitable Trust.

The charity said it was a "significant milestone in the delivery of the city's older peoples' housing strategy".

The facilities include a restaurant, fitness gym, IT suite, craft room, woodwork shop and greenhouse.

More than 60 staff have been recruited to help run activities.

The trust said its well-being programme was expected to increase measured health scores by more than 10%, reducing dependency on GP services and local hospitals.

City council deputy leader councillor Andrew Gravells said: "This is a landmark development for Gloucester.

"It will provide affordable homes and a safe and secure environment for our elderly residents."