Firhall – the retirement village with no children

Firhall, built in 2003 outside Nairn in the Highlands, is billed as “a new direction in modern country living”. The village caters primarily for those people over 45 years old who “no longer have the same direct commitment to their families” and who now wish to enjoy an active relaxed lifestyle where others handle maintenance and management responsibility. Most controversially, this means that no resident children are permitted.

Grandchildren and the children of friends can visit and stay, but there are limits on how often this happens.

Yesterday,  BBC Radio 4’s Far From the Madding Child, presenter Kati Whitaker looked at how things have turned out since Firhall opened, asking if it is desirable, or even practical, to encourage the sort of settlements where older people are segregated from the rest of society.

Residents say Firhall offers peace and quiet; one resident admitted to not liking “children’s noise”.

Estate agent Lesley-Ann Fraser told the programme-makers of the media’s initial reaction to the development, saying “The media hyped it up to such an extent you would really think anybody who wanted to live in a village like this was an ogre and they hated children”.

David Eccles, chairman of Firhall Trust, said in reality nothing could be further from the truth. He said many of those who chose to live in the village have grandchildren and the youngsters were always welcome to visit. Mr Eccles added: “Living here gives a certain measure of peace and quiet which is what many of us look forward to as we are getting older.”

What do you think? One quick look at the village website http://www.caledonianretreats.co.uk reveals that Firhall is indeed a beautiful place – well built, well maintained houses and apartments are set amongst immaculate landscaped grounds amidst the stunning Highlands scenery. It is not difficult to see why people would choose to live here. And the emphasis on an active lifestyle and choice in retirement is very alluring.

However, to me there is something rather discomforting about the segregation of any part of society. I am not sure how I would feel if my children’s grandparents chose to live somewhere like Firhall where the brochure talks of residents who “no longer have the same direct commitment to their families”.  As the number of people getting older rises and public funds become ever more diminished, families are likely to have to fall back on their own resources and the incidence of intergenerational dependency will rise. It may become desirable or necessary for the generations to live together to share resources, including childcare but also the care of an older person. But a village like Firhall allows no such flexibility.

I am also rather intrigued by the 45 year age requirement. Not only does this seem very young to “no longer have a direct commitment to your family”  but as women increasingly have children later in life, this could mean accepting a “no children” lifestyle before your child bearing years are over.

Interested to hear what you think.