Shipston Town Council objects to retirement housing scheme
Shipston Town Council has opposed an application to build a new retirement housing scheme at South Lynn Gardens off London Road, citing a number of planning objections.
Churchill Retirement Homes is proposing to demolish the existing building on the 0.31-hectare site, and replace it with 33 retirement apartments, together with new vehicular access, communal facilities, car parking and landscaping. This represents approximately 42 new residents with an average age of 79 years.
The proposal suggests that 14 car parking spaces will be adequate based on similar schemes elsewhere, and cites good bus services and easy pedestrian access to the town and medical centre. However, councillors have identified a number of discrepancies in the proposal, as well as an optimistic view of the time taken to walk to local services.
The application has been met with vehement opposition from a number of local residents, many of whom attended the town council meeting to voice their concerns.
Shipston Town Council’s objections include the dominating nature of the proposed building, inadequate car parking and associated impact, the lack of public transport to support this type of development, and inadequate access to the town. In addition, concerns have been raised about the additional load on the medical centre.
Town Mayor, Dan Scobie, said: “In our view, this proposal is completely inappropriate. The number of dwellings proposed for such a small site is a real concern, with the associated impact this will have on infrastructure and quality of living.”
The town council has submitted a comprehensive objection which can be viewed on the district council’s e-planning portal at www.stratford.gov.uk. However, councillors would like to remind residents of the importance of registering their own views on this and other planning proposals.
Councillor and member of the Planning Working Group, Martin Ferrier, said: “Whether you are for or against this or any other planning application, it is extremely important that you register your views directly via the Stratford District Council website to ensure the town’s voice is heard."