Plans to build new retirement apartments have been submitted as part of a major 1,500-home development site.
Applicant McCarthy & Stone Retirement has put forward the plans to build 44 apartments on 'Lot 3' of land at Crab Hill north of the A417 and east of the A338 in Wantage.
The retirement living apartments would come with communal facilities and car parking to serve the development which is part of the Crab Hill site that has space allocated for 1,500 homes which includes a minimum of approximately 32 per cent affordable housing overall.
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A planning paper says: "The proposal involves the building of retirement apartments aimed at the over 60s who are seeking to downsize and who wish to benefit from a safe, secure environment with like-minded people.
"The proposal would provide a total of 44 apartments, dedicated parking spaces for use by residents and their visitors. A buggy and cycle store is also provided for residents.
"The development would provide the opportunity for a high-quality residential development and retail store that would positively contribute to meeting a local housing need for older people.
"It represents a sustainable development, with wide ranging social and planning benefits, both for potential residents and the community."
On July 15, 2015, all 1,500 homes of the Kingsgrove development were granted outline planning permission – subject to further details known as reserved matters.
A total of 26 of the houses in this newly proposed development will be one-bedroom with the remaining 18 being two-bedroom.
Red brick would be used for the apartments to complement a dark clad material.
A total of nine online feedback forms, seven reply cards and two posted feedback forms were received concerning the proposed redevelopment of the site.
A total of 22 per cent of overall feedback was supportive of the principle of development, with 61 per cent objecting to the proposals.
The remaining 17 per cent provided neutral responses.
A planning paper adds: "Those who were supportive of the proposals welcomed the site’s redevelopment, adding that they liked the design, and that they would be interested in living in the development.
"The concerns raised by objectors primarily questioned the need for further retirement accommodation as well as concerns that the site was formerly allocated to provide a community facility such as a pub or retail space."
It concludes: "The response to the site maximises its potential whilst working within the presented constraints, approved parameters and Development Brief.
"The design celebrates key aspects, respecting neighbouring properties and creating a private and secure development whilst offering a high quality visual amenity to an important corner site.
"Parking on the site has been designed to reduce the visual impact of cars by providing off street parking behind the build line.
"The green buffer frames the proposal and allows for additional landscaping to soften the edges on the perimeter."
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