WORK has started on a £1.5m retirement development at Vicarage Drive, Marske, Redcar, which will provide accommodation with extra care facilities and a day centre.

Created by national 'not for profit' housing association, Anchor Trust, with Newcastle-based Quantity Surveyors RNJ Partnership providing cost consultancy services, the project forms part of the trust's ongoing commitment to providing well designed, constructed and secure supported retirement housing in the region.

Andrew Brewis, partner at RNJ explains: "The scheme will create a supportive environment while continuing to offer independent living for those who may have or develop care and mobility needs."

Demolition work has been undertaken to remove an existing sheltered housing scheme on the site, which will be replaced with new accommodation comprising 30 flats, a rehabilitation unit together with a local authority managed day centre.

Mr Brewis continued: "By working closely with all members of the project team, and with an open book policy, RNJ has been able to successfully ensure that these objectives have been achieved by continuing to provide a value-for- money scheme without compromising the quality."