Demand leads to new specialist post.

Demand for purpose-built retirement housing across the North-East has prompted McCarthy & Stone to appoint a new regional land manager to lead its search for suitable development sites.

Chris Watson, 28, joined McCarthy & Stone's North-East region in 1999 as an assistant land buyer. He has now been promoted to regional land manager to oversee a team of four land buyers.

McCarthy & Stone developments, such as Chase Court in Rectory Road, Whickham, are usually built in or near town centres to meet the needs of elderly residents.

They typically have one and two-bedroom flats, TV security, a Careline system, a central lounge, laundry, guest suite and lift.

Chris said: "McCarthy & Stone's North-East region has grown rapidly since I joined in 1999 when there was a staff of four in the office and we only had two building sites. Now we are selling apartments at seven developments across the region with three to open this year, and we need to acquire at least seven new sites in the coming year to meet the ever-increasing demand for retirement properties.

"People buy our apartments because of the combination of security, independence and companionship they offer. If we are to continue providing this lifestyle to our residents, we need to find sites where there is easy access to local shops and amenities and public transport.

"McCarthy & Stone has the advantage of being able to re-cycle brownfield sites that other developers would not consider. In fact, most of our developments are built on such sites.

"Redundant garages/petrol stations, warehouses, hotels, residential nursing homes and private houses with large gardens are all good examples. Sites should ideally be around one acre in size." Call the land team on: [phone] or for information about apartments call [phone].