New housing and retirement homes will be built on the site of an old hospital.

The six-acre site of the former St Luke’s Hospital in St Luke’s Drive, Muswell Hill will be redeveloped to create 161 homes.

A total of 70 per cent of those will be earmarked for people aged over 55, encouraging those living in the area to downsize from larger family homes.

A further 17 townhouses will be built on the site and will be available to all age groups, with roughly 48 properties set aside for affordable rent or shared ownership schemes.

The development is being carried out in partnership with Hanover, a leading provider of retirement homes, and housebuilders Hill UK.

Hanover chief executive Dame Clare Tickell said: “Hanover has over 50 years’ experience of developing quality, affordable housing for people over 55.

“With that experience we’re well placed to introduce innovative new housing solutions – adding to housing choice.”