AFTER remaining derelict for several years, the site of the former Jaeger clothing factory in Ipswich will soon be home to more than 60 retirement flats.

AFTER remaining derelict for several years, the site of the former Jaeger clothing factory in Ipswich will soon be home to more than 60 retirement flats.

The old factory, which was situated on Tudor Place in between Christchurch Street and Woodbridge, has remained derelict for several years.

Barker Homes Plc is now building 64 one and two-bedroom retirement apartments in the new development, named Tudor Place.

The apartments, each self-contained with a lounge, kitchen and bathroom, will also be serviced by a communal utility room, recreation area, kitchen and 24-hour warden.

The foundations are currently being laid.

Project Manager Tony Akers is hoping that the first block of apartments will be ready by late spring with the rest being ready by late summer.

People have already expressed interest in the flats, which will be reserved exclusively for the over-60s.

Kathryn Thurtle, regional manager for the Land and New Homes division of William H Brown, said: "We have had some very good response, with people looking to purchase and thinking of putting their own homes up for sale."

The most recent occupier of the Jaeger factory was Lambourne Clothing (Ipswich) Ltd, which supplied the suit for Leonardo di Caprio in the film Titanic.

But Lambourne Clothing went into liquidation in April 1998 before briefly coming back into business and then closing once more.