RETIREMENT house builder McCarthy and Stone has decided to name its latest site on Lower Turk Street in Alton ‘Austen Place’ in tribute to 19th Century English novelist Jane Austen, who spent the last eight years of her life living in the neighbouring village of Chawton.

At the same time, McCarthy and Stone has donated £100 to Alton library, which this summer sees them hosting a wide range of events to celebrate the life and times of the internationally renowned author.

The donation will be used to benefit the monthly library club attended by older people in Alton.

Liz Green, regional sales and marketing director for McCarthy and Stone North East, said: “Jane Austen had such strong ties to the local area of Alton, so much so that we know it’s often referred to as being ‘Jane Austen’s town’.

“We think this is a lovely tradition and one we were keen to carry on for our homeowners, especially as this year marks 200 years since her death.

“We are looking forward to becoming an integrated part of the Alton community, and we believe that our development will play a real part in helping to bring friends and family together in later life, something we feel is important and will bring lots of positive benefits to the area.”

Alton library houses the Jane Austen Collection which covers the life and works of the author, with many of the books available for loan.

Hampshire libraries are hosting a number of Jane Austen-themed events this summer, including history talks, panel discussions, theatre performances and even parasol duelling, as a special insight into what Jane was like as a young woman and author in the late 18th and early 19th century.

According to McCarthy and Stone, ‘Austen Place’ is already much attracting interest.

Exclusively for people aged 70 and over, the development, which is currently under construction on the former Malt House (Minnesotas) site, will consist of 56 one and two-bedroom apartments, alongside landscaped gardens that will be fully maintained, and convenient on-site parking.

Each apartment will also have its own ground-floor terrace or private balcony, and there will be a restaurant on site as well as a guest suite for when friends and family come to stay.