McCarthy and Stone, the UK’s leading retirement housebuilder, has submitted plans to Ipswich Borough Council to redevelop land between Lower Brook Street and Turret Lane with Retirement Living accommodation specifically designed to meet the needs of older people.
McCarthy and Stone, the UK’s leading retirement housebuilder, has submitted plans to Ipswich Borough Council to redevelop land between Lower Brook Street and Turret Lane with Retirement Living accommodation specifically designed to meet the needs of older people.
McCarthy and Stone’s plans would see the site – which was formerly the offices of the Ipswich Star and East Anglian Daily Times – sensitively redeveloped providing 51 one and two bedroom apartments and 11 two bedroom cottages, including extensive new landscaping, attractive communal gardens for homeowners and new boundary treatments.
Archant, publishers of the EADT and Ipswich Star, EADT Suffolk Magazine and associated websites, has moved to new purpose-built offices at Portman House, Princes Street to continue to serve the town and county.
McCarthy and Stone say there is there is a considerable need, both locally and nationally, for this type of accommodation for older people, which will also contribute to the overall housing needs of Ipswich.
The local over 65s population is predicted to grow by 54% over the next 20 years.
Prior to the submission of its planning application, McCarthy and Stone consulted the local community, hosting a public exhibition in September. A majority of the feedback received supported the proposals in principle, with a number of local residents specifically referencing a need for this type of accommodation in the area.
Mark Wright, regional managing director at McCarthy and Stone East Midlands said:“We are encouraged to see that our plans have received a good level of supportive feedback from local people. At present this brownfield site is under-utilised and an eyesore. We believe the high quality scheme we have created is sympathetic to the site’s heritage and makes a positive
contribution to the wider Merchant Quarter regeneration vision.”
He continued: “It is important that a community meets the housing requirements of all its residents and this development would help to meet a growing housing need in the area. Increasing the housing choice for residents in later life also releases family-sized housing back into local markets, which helps to stimulate the housing chain and enable young families and first-time buyers to have a better opportunity within the housing market.”
“I would encourage those who attended the event in September to make their views known to Ipswich Borough Council by commenting on the planning application.”
The aplication is expected to be considered by the borough council at its meeting in January 2017.Now that the application has been submitted, there is a further opportunity for local residents to view the planning application via the Council’s website. People requiring further information are invited to visit the project’s website,
www.mccarthyandstoneconsultation.co.uk/Ipswich , or contact the project’s Freephone informationline on 0800 298 7040.
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