And on Friday, at a gala dinner in London's Royal Lancaster Hotel, pad55 Ltd will find out whether it has scooped the Best Retirement Development in the Daily Mail's UK Property Awards 2008.

Outstanding entries in each of 21 categories will then represent the UK at the World's Best Awards in America next month.

Designed by Malton-based architects Bramhall Blenkharn the Spire View development in Eastgate is aimed at over 55s who want to "downsize" from large family houses.

It has 15 units – 11 town and detached houses and four apartments – all with a contemporary design. They are in a gated, secure enclosure overseen by CCTV cameras and a concierge.

Communal facilities include a lounge, underground heated swimming pool, landscaped inner courtyard and a guest room.

The development has underfloor heating fired by a combined heat and power system and features include eco-friendly sedum roofs on some of the units. Prices range from £295,000 to £485,000.

The developers behind pad55 are Tom Welch, of Whitwell-on-the-Hill and David Ball, of Terr- ington. Mr Ball said they were thrilled with the shortlisting.

"We are delighted to have achieved such recognition with our debut development, which is a testament to the design quality and sustainability that we have strived for. pad55 will continue to promote greater choice in the UK retirement market through building contemporary, bespoke communities and we look for ward to furthering this early success."

The company has had around 200 expressions of interest in Spire View, which will be officially launched on November 8.

He added: "We had wanted to launch in September but it has been such a terrible summer that it has set us back a bit, but we're almost ready to go now."

More than 700 people have been invited to the open day which will also feature a showcase exhibition of mixed media works by Kirkham Abbey-based artists Heather Niven and Rosalind Walker. Their paintings will be on display in the Orangery, pool and selected units.

Pickering's town councillors have been invited to a guided tour of the development on Tuesday.

l What do you think of the development?

Email: sheila.elgey@yrnltd.co.uk

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