Developer planning 50 new retirement flats near town centre

PLANS are being drawn up to demolish a row of four homes in Lymington and replace them with a block of 50 retirement flats.

Renaissance Retirement wants to clear four plots in Stanford Hill, which it said it had acquired an interest in, to build the collection of two-bedroom apartments.

Before it submits a scheme to New Forest District Council, the Ringwood-based company is consulting with residents and will be holding a public exhibition of its draft designs next week.

Simon McFarlane, head of planning at Renaissance, said: “Sites like this close to shops and services prove ideal for the kind of specialist housing that we’re looking to provide, so we're pleased to have an opportunity to develop a set of proposals.

“The council has set out its future development needs, which range from starter homes and affordable housing but also importantly, homes specifically designed for older people.

“One of the key benefits of this type of proposal is the release of under-occupied properties in the local area further adding to the wide range of housing and social benefits."

He added: “Having spoken to the council and several immediate neighbours about our draft proposals, we look forward to hearing what the wider community has to say.”

The homes facing the bulldozer are The Rise, High Bank, Silver Birches and Hill View.

Retirement housing is often met with complaints from residents who are more enthusiastic about affordable family homes.

But the company said national and local planning policy supported its proposals. New Forest District Council does not have an identified five-year housing land supply, which means under government rules “sustainable” developments must be considered more favourably.

NFDC is seeking to fix that with its new draft Local Plan, a document containing planning policies for about 10,500 homes by 2036 outside the national park.

That is currently being assessed by planning inspectors before its expected adoption later in the year.

Locally, Renaissance has tried to redevelop Lymington’s former bus station in the high street with 17 retirement flats, but was twice rejected by NFDC. A fresh design by Landford Estates Ltd for nine houses was granted permission in June.

A public exhibition of the Stanford Hill scheme will be held by Renaissance in the McLellan Hall at the Lymington Centre from 4pm-7pm on Wednesday 24th July.

An application is expected to be submitted to NFDC later in the year.