Princess Anne opens ambitious Letchworth development

On Tuesday, March 5, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal opened First Garden Cities Homes' John Coxall Court, a development of 71 two-bedroom apartments for people aged 55 and over.

"We are honoured that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal came to Letchworth Garden City to perform the opening ceremony for John Coxall Court," said First Garden Cities Homes chief executive John Welch.

Princess Anne met residents at John Coxall Court. (Image: First Garden Cities Homes)

“The visit marks the realisation of a long-held vision to develop an innovative, attractive housing offer for local people aged 55 and over.

"Creating John Coxall Court required us to make some very bold decisions, including demolishing our Hamonte sheltered housing scheme to make way for the new development.

"We are delighted that this initiative has freed up previously under-occupied homes for use by local young families in housing need."

Princess Anne isn't the first royal to open a Letchworth development. (Image: First Garden Cities Homes)

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The new development is named after the late John Coxall, who held the role of chairman from 1997 to 2007, when the housing association was known as Howard Cottage.

Among those to greet Princess Anne were five-year-old Ayda and eight-year-old Elliott, the grandchildren of John Coxall Court resident Avril McCandless-Lewis.

"As the Princess got closer and closer, I felt scared. But when I gave her the flowers, I felt happy. I thought she was lovely," said Ayda.

First Garden Cities Homes were honoured to welcome Princess Anne. (Image: First Garden Cities Homes)

"I told the Princess that the food for the flowers was behind the label, in case she didn’t know," Elliott added.

This isn’t the first royal opening ceremony for the organisation. Back in 1993, Queen Elizabeth II travelled to Letchworth Garden City to open the Tabor Court housing scheme.

John Coxall Court residents are delighted with their new homes, with Chris Howell saying: "My mates tease me all the time about living in an 'old people’s home'.

Ayda and Elliott greet Princess Anne. (Image: First Garden Cities Homes)

"But it’s not that at all. It’s for over-55s and although it suits us perfectly right now, we know it’s been properly futureproofed so that we can keep living here as we grow older."

Helen Cairns, head of resident experience at First Garden Cities Homes, added: "Although most of the residents require little or no health support at the moment, their needs may well change over time.

"In anticipation of this, we incorporated structural features that will enable the apartments to be adapted quickly and easily, if and when needed. We also applied a dementia-friendly approach to the design throughout the building.

"Working with our local authority, healthcare and care providers, we will support our residents to live independently in their home for as long as possible."

Princess Anne at John Coxall Court. (Image: First Garden Cities Homes)

Princess Anne opens John Coxall Court. (Image: First Garden Cities Homes)