Housing minister Margaret Burgess has visited retirement housebuilder McCarthy & Stone’s first assisted living development in Edinburgh.

Lyle Court, which is located on part of the site of the former Barnton Hotel, offers over-70s an opportunity to buy a one- or two-bedroom apartment where they can maintain their independence and receive support as they enter their later years.

The housing minister was given a tour of the site before speaking to McCarthy & Stone team members about various aspects of Scottish Government housing policy, including the Joint Housing Development Plan (JHDP).

Steve Wiseman, regional managing director for McCarthy & Stone in Scotland, said: “Today’s visit by Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess has given us an excellent opportunity to brief her on a wide range of issues that impact on our ability to deliver a range of housing options for older people.

“We have welcomed draft of the Joint Housing Development Plan (JHDP), and we are keen to understand how we can contribute to the objectives of the JHDP to ensure the housing needs of our increasingly elderly population are taken into account.”

He added: “We’ve also had the opportunity to brief Ms Burgess on the a mix of retirement developments that we offer in Scotland including our core developments which are aimed at the over 60s, and our Assisted Living developments like Lyle Court in Barnton aimed at those over 70.”

Housing minister Margaret Burgess said: “The Scottish Government is committed to increasing the supply of new homes and to enabling the elderly to live independently in their own homes wherever possible.

“We know that living in the right home with suitable physical features is clearly important, and that the right support can be the key to enabling people to live safely and independently at home. It’s been great to see this development and the difference it will make to the lives of those who will be living here.”