West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin today unveiled a foundation stone to mark the completion of the first phase of a £20 million development in Malvern Link. The MP attended a ceremony with local dignitaries to unveil the foundation stone and celebrate the new extra care village being built by Festival Housing on the site of former sheltered accommodation. The Clarence Park retirement village will consist of 101 apartments within a community village environment featuring a wide range of leisure facilities and amenities including a restaurant, bar, gym and wellness centre. Residents will also be able to enjoy the library, beauty salon, IT suite and craft workshops. Harriett commented: “With the elderly population growing as quickly as it is, I believe it is important to offer extra care housing, particularly as it offers flexibility for elderly people, especially couples. “This development heralds the start of extra care development in Malvern and I know we will need many more of these projects across the county. “It is just over a year since I took charge of a JCB and started the demolition work to clear this site. Just 12 months on, the progress is amazing and it is great to see the impressive results of this project coming to fruition. “I am delighted that about 30 new jobs are being created and I expect that this will become a valuable part of the local community.” Mike Moyles, Chair of Festival Housing’s Board commented: “The high standards and unique features of Clarence Park Village mark a change in the expectation of today's over 55s and what they want from a retirement home. “With the population over 85 set to double over the next 20 years, extra care villages will have a crucial role to play in keeping older people out of care homes and hospitals.” Photo: (l-r) Harriett Baldwin MP and Mike Moyles unveil the foundation stone at Clarence Park