THE first occupants have moved into new housing for older people, on the edge of a town centre.

The properties, in Nun's Close, Richmond, are aimed at people aged 55 and over.

The development consists of one block of four apartments and an adjacent single-storey home. Two of the homes, including one of the ground floor apartments and the single-storey home, have full disabled access.

They have been built by Tees Valley Housing Group, in partnership with Richmondshire District Council on the site of an old school kitchen next to Richmond Cricket Club. Six other sites have already been developed by the partnership.

The housing association received £188,000 from the Housing Corporation and the same amount from North Yorkshire County Council towards the development.

Colin Dales, assistant director of community at the district council, said: "I am very pleased to see more much-needed affordable housing being delivered in Richmond.

"This has been a difficult site to develop, but the effort which ourselves and Tees Valley Housing Group have put into it has been well worth it."