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As the last of the shrubs were planted and the private landscaped gardens began to take shape so the team at Windsor Court, the brand new development of retirement apartments in Singleton, near Ashford, prepared to welcome visitors to see the result of months of gardening efforts at a special afternoon tea event.
The event was held on April 22 and gave the many visitors who attended the chance to see the newly completed garden and terraces, along with viewing the beautifully appointed one and two bedroom apartments, the complex's communal honey and terracotta themed residents' lounge and conservatory, and chat to the team about how the new retirement living development could potentially become their new home.
The new garden has been carefully designed to provide residents, many of whom will be keen gardeners themselves, with a relaxing and therapeutic place to spend some time, along with being somewhere that will attract birds and other wildlife. The beauty for residents, though, is that someone else will be doing all the hard work of planting, weeding, mowing lawns and disposing of the garden rubbish as part of the service charge, all of which can be physically demanding for residents of maturing years.
"We feel having a garden that has been carefully designed and planted is important to help create a relaxing environment for our new residents," says David Sparks, managing director of Great Homes Limited, the company behind the new development aimed at buyers of 55 years and over. "Many of our residents will be keen gardeners themselves, and although they may be moving to an apartment which doesn't have its own garden, everyone can enjoy the communal one - without all the hard work."
Phil Harper, of PJ Harper Landscapes of Felixstowe in Suffolk, handles the design and maintenance of retirement developments in Essex and Kent for Great Homes Limited. He says, "I am always conscious that many of the residents will be experienced gardeners themselves, and will know how important it is to provide year-round colour and structure.
"I always choose evergreen plants to provide a canvas, add flowers for colour and mulch the soil with bark to keep the gardens low maintenance," he adds. Like all landscape gardeners, Phil designs a garden according to the site. Windsor Court is in a leafy area not far from Ashford city centre and also has a reed bed pond. "At this development we are creating an area of wild flowers, and also using plants that are native to ponds."
Windsor Court is ideally located for residents looking for retirement property. Not only is it close to Ashford centre, but it is also within easy walking distance - just a few minutes - from shops for day-to-day provisions, a hairdressers, newsagent and a restaurant. A good bus service provides transport to nearby leisure amenities, while Windsor Court, itself, has a car park for residents who prefer to use the good local road infrastructure.
Comprising 46 apartments, the striking red and golden brick building offers a pleasing place to call home and a secure and safe environment. A duty manager is on hand to ensure the smooth running of the complex, while a CCTV entryphone system is in place for residents to have control over who enters the building. Emergency careline facilities are provided round-the-clock by specialist
management company Peverel, plus fire alarms are fitted and the garden itself has a gated drive and attractive wrought iron fencing for added security.
Each apartment, along with the communal residents' lounge and conservatory, and all the hallways, are finished to an exception standard. For instance, every kitchen is fitted with integrated appliances that include a washer/dryer, fridge/freezer, double oven with an extractor hood, and under pelmet lighting as standard. The kitchen finish is wood effect, complemented by wall tiles in subtle tones and an attractive floor covering.
Elsewhere, bathrooms are presented with elegant white sanitaryware providing the opportunity to personalise with coloured accessories, and features a vanity unit plus in many cases, both a bath and a separate shower. The apartments are fully carpeted, have Economy 7 heating, double glazing, white oak veneer internal doors and even a juliet style balcony or terrace depending on which unit is chosen. There are BT telephone points, a free internal telephone system, and even terrestrial and satellite television aerial points fitted too.
Windsor Court has been designed to offer a new, safe lifestyle to retiring buyers, all set in gardens that require no hard work and expense! For further information on Windsor Court telephone the sales centre on freephone 0800 0288177 or visit Great Homes Limited's website on www.greathomesltd.co.uk
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