A £200,000 investment will see a Berwickshire retirement housing development boost the independence of tenants and improve accessibility.

Bield’s ‘Step Free’ project will see four state-of-the-art internal platform lifts installed at Turnbull Court, in Duns, and an enclosed external vertical platform lift.

Cllr John Greenwell of the Scottish Borders Council said: “In my capacity as the Equalities & Diversity Champion at Scottish Borders Council, I am pleased to see the positive steps Bield is taking at Turnbull Court - installing a number of measures to improve accessibility for tenants to all parts of the complex.

“I look forward to seeing the work commence in March and of course the finished project.”

The ‘Step Free’ project seeks to further maximise the freedom of all Bield’s tenants, in line with their ‘Free to Be’ ethos, as they make improvements to provide the highest quality of housing for older people in Scotland.

Significant levels of investments is planned over the next 13 years as part of Bield’s Asset Management Strategy which looks to make the most of the resources at their disposal to provide tenants and residents with the highest quality housing possible.

Susan Napier, Bield’s chair, said: “We are delighted to be making such a valuable addition to Turnbull Court.

“While all the communal areas of the development have always been accessible from the ground floor it is great to ensure an extra level of flexibility for our current and future tenants.

“There are a number of Bield developments that were built in the 1970’s and one of the key objectives of our Asset Management Strategy is to have a bespoke approach for each, to improve access and demand.”

First built in 1975 with 36 retirement flats, Turnbull Court includes communal facilities such as a residents lounge, communal heating system and laundry.

The development currently has available properties for rent and people over 50 looking for a new home in the Scottish Borders can call in to the development and view a show home or call 0131 273 4000.

Operating at 152 developments across Scotland, Bield is one of Scotland’s leading care and housing providers.

Bield has a diverse range of retirement housing and sheltered housing across the country catering to people with varying types of needs.