An Evesham car park will make way for a new care home despite council planners saying they would have rejected the plans.
Following a successful planning appeal, Churchill Retirement Living has been granted permission to build 49 independent living retirement apartments and seven retirement cottages on the site of Swan Lane car park.
The development, on the brownfield site off Swan Lane, will contribute around £2.4 million to the local economy and create around 105 jobs both during and after construction.
Stuart Goodwill, managing director of Churchill’s planning consultancy, said: “This is a very positive result, and we will now look forward to starting work as soon as possible on this new development which will create a vibrant new community in the heart of Evesham.
“Retirement housing is the most effective form of residential development for generating local economic growth, supporting local jobs, and increasing high street spend as we look to recover from the pandemic.
“The new apartments and cottages will also help improve the health and wellbeing of those who live there, and meet the housing needs of many older people in Evesham and the surrounding area.”
The decision on the planning application was taken out of Wychavon District Council’s hands when Churchill Retirement Living lodged an appeal with the government’s planning inspectorate over non-determination, as the council had not come to a decision in time.
Council planners said they would have recommended the plan was rejected as it was “overbearing” and “unviable.”
READ MORE: Council loses chance to rule on major town centre flats plan
In the appeal decision notice, the Government’s planning inspector Matthew Woodward stated that the development would “make a substantial contribution to Wychavon’s housing targets”.
Churchill has confirmed it will also make a £63,125 contribution to Affordable Housing in the local area.
Along with the economic boost and provision of jobs, Churchill states that the development will see around 110 second hand homes released onto the market as older people choose to downsize.
It is expected this will help around 37 first time buyers onto the property ladder.
Additionally, Churchill claims that it will save around local NHS and social care services over £269,000 a year as people living in retirement properties experience reduced health risks.
For more information on the development, please call 0800 458 1857 or visit www.churchillretirement.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel