FORMER Bond girl turned businesswoman Jennifer Shah has broken the ground for 25 retirement homes in Royal Wootton Bassett.

The 72-year-old and her husband and ex-newspaper magnate Eddy yesterday returned to the land which was formerly part of the Wiltshire Golf and Country Club to turn the turf for the scheme designed to answer the needs of 21st century pensioners.

The latest development marks the second phase of the couple’s construction scheme, which saw 44 tourist homes erected between 2006 and 2008 at The Wiltshire Leisure Village.

Jennifer, who appeared in the 1967 spoof James Bond film Casino Royale, has designed a new brand of stylish and luxurious properties for pensioners with her son, Martyn, who is managing the site, doing away with the outdated image of retirement homes as cramped, clinical and lacking in functionality.

“Retirement shouldn’t mean you have to downsize and get rid of all your belongings” said the former model, who co-owned Wiltshire Golf and Country Club until 2012.

“People are retiring at a much earlier age and they still want the space to have their children and grandchildren and all their clutter to come with them.

“To early retirees and those not ready to slow down, downsizing is not just a matter of size but mostly of capital and releasing money for your old age.

“I think what we’re doing is unique in this country and is certainly the norm abroad. It’s time we accepted that retiring was only the first step of many along an independent and fulfilling road.”

Jennifer, who is wheelchair-bound as a result of aggressive radiotherapy treatment, said one of the most important aspects for the design of each home was their adaptability and accessibility.

“You never know what is going to happen,” said Jennifer. “I never thought eight years ago that I was going to be in a wheelchair but it can happen.

“People can also choose to design their own interiors if the house hasn’t been built yet.

“Eventually there will also be their own access road rather than going through the golf club, which adds a level of security which is important.”

Jennifer said it was also important for them to be eco-homes.

“It’s not the most extreme it could be because we wanted to keep the costs down,” she said. “But I think it’s important to do our bit.”

The houses range in size from three to five bedrooms and retail at £425,000 at the top end.

For more information about the houses visit www.wiltshireleisurevillage.co.uk/contact-us-about-our-holiday-homes.