Michael Fabricant met with senior executives of the HomeZone housing
association yesterday afternoon (Friday 27th June) at their headquarters in
Lichfield to discuss the £14 million retirement village planned for the
City. Chief Executive of HomeZone, Andrew Robinson, unveiled the plans for
the £14 million project to Michael Fabricant and explained that it will be
the most expensive project undertaken in Lichfield since the Cathedral was
built. He explained that the organisation has earmarked a three-acre site
off Sandford Street for the complex, which provide 150 one, two and
three-bedroom apartments for older people. The plans, which will be put
before Lichfield District Council next month, showed the modern complex,
which will benefit from a host of services including a gym, restaurant, bar,
hairdressers, spa pool and shops.

Michael Fabricant says: "This is an exciting project which seems to
combines attractive architecture with providing accommodation for a growing
age group in Lichfield. With an ever aging population, this innovative
scheme will provide the sense of community so many older people currently
lack. This pioneering retirement village is unique in its scale and
facilities and will bring added value to our City. I look forward to its
completion in 2005."

Michael also tackled the question of the provision of facilities for the
young handicapped. While this will not be available in the retirement
village – a minimum age limit of 55 will apply to residents – he was
assured that HomeZone actively provide facilities for younger people both
with physical and with mental handicaps.