PROGRESS is being made on a new multi-million-pound Hampshire retirement complex and care home which will create 100 new jobs.

The £35m development, which will be known as Friary Meadow, is currently being built in fields off Cartwright Drive, near Titchfield Abbey in Fareham.

The development will consist of a new 70-bed care home along with a selection of 86 luxury homes including apartments, townhouses and bungalows and a 39-acre country park.

There will also be a care community building including a café, meeting rooms and a fully licensed restaurant.

The complex will be staffed by two team members at all times who will deal with any medical or welfare issues that could arise.

The first stage of the process to transform 15.5 hectares into public open space has been completed.

Access roads to the development are also complete along with the car park, marketing suite and basic foundations for the new homes are now being put in place.

Oak Retirement, set up by Stephen Ladyman, the former MP for South Thanet, is behind the project.

Dr Ladyman said: “Our residents will benefit from high-quality independent living in their own luxury property with the knowledge of being able to access flexible on-site services should they need support.”

The development comes after figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that the number of over 65s in Fareham increased by 21.2 per cent from 16,000 in 2001 to 22,000 in 2016.

Councillor Geoff Fazackarley, the Mayor of Fareham said: “It is common knowledge that the elderly population in Fareham is increasing so this is a much-needed development.”

Councillor Geoff Hockley, Hampshire county councillor for Titchfield, added: “I went up to have a look at the site and was very impressed; any properties that go up there will look lovely.”

The development will be completed by the end of 2018.