DETAILS of a special housing development for the over-55s will be unveiled at a special event.

The Elms, near the centre of Chester-le-Street, will consist of 58 one and two-bedroomed apartments and two-bedroomed bungalows that aim to allow older residents to live independently for as long as possible.

The £6.5m scheme is the idea of the town’s social landlord Cestria Community Housing, which received £1.76m from the Department of Health’s (DoH) Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund.

The scheme will be launched at an open day on Saturday, February 7, between noon and 2pm in the Cathedral Suite at Durham County Cricket Club’s ground at the Riverside in Chester-le-Street.

Some of the properties in the development, which is being built by Keepmoat, will be sold and some rented.

Cestria’s managing director, Martin Warhurst said: “This is a flagship state-of-the-art development for the association.

“The design concept behind the Elms will not only change the general perception of older people’s housing, but also the lifestyle and wellbeing of this demographic in the future.

“The design is also dementia-friendly in principal and aims to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.”