A CARE home in the heart of Evesham has been given the green light by inspectors after councillors failed to make a decision on the scheme in time.
Churchill Retirement Living has been granted planning permission to build 49 new independent living retirement apartments and seven retirement cottages on the site of the Swan Lane car park.
The decision was taken out of Wychavon District Council’s hands when the developer lodged an appeal with the government’s planning inspectorate and won.
A ‘thriving’ new community is being promised for the heart of the town, with developers claiming the site will bring an estimated £2.4million to the local economy and 100 jobs both during and after construction.
Churchill bosses said the site would allows older people to downsize and free up under-occupied houses in the area for families – the developers estimate as many as 110 second-hand homes will be released onto the market, helping around 37 first time buyers onto the ladder.
The developer will also make a £63,125 contribution to affordable housing in the local area.
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 a 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 well-being of those who live there, and meet the housing needs of many older people in Evesham and the surrounding area.”
In the appeal decision notice, the Government’s Planning Inspector Matthew Woodward stated the proposed development would make a ‘substantial’ contribution towards Wychavon’s housing targets and that it would make a positive contribution towards the character and appearance of the local conservation area.
