Letter: Inter-generational housing will solve Lymington's problem of an ageing population

SIR – Lymington is getting an increasingly aged population due to the constant addition of retirement flats.

They come with an age restriction – to live in one you have to be 55, 60 or even 70 years old.

At the same time, young people cannot afford to buy or rent in the town whether they have a local connection or come here to live and work.

This situation is obviously not good.

Here is a proposal that could help to restore the situation in part, and do good at the same time.

It is called "inter-generational housing". A little research online brings up working examples in the Netherlands and Denmark. There are probably examples in the UK too.

Basically, in an inter-generational housing development a proportion of flats are reserved for younger persons who live among the older folk.

The deal is that the youngsters get a decent place to live at an affordable rent, and in return they are contracted to fulfil caring and companionship roles for a minimum number of hours with their older neighbours.

And everyone has to respect the right of other residents to peace and security.

I am nearly 70 and hope to be able to live where I am in a regular street for some time. If I have to move into sheltered housing I do not want to live in a ghetto where everyone is elderly.

I want a mixture of neighbours, even including teenagers and children. I will put up with a ball game nearby or kids hanging out, as long as they are friendly.

This will not suit everyone of course, but I know there are others locally who think like me.

I urge MPs, councillors, planners, developers and citizens to take a serious look at the possibility of creating inter generational housing in Lymington.

Jon Ellis,
Lymington