Last chance to comment on McCarthy & Stone retirement home plans

McCarthy & Stone retirement housing, Bradley Stoke (indicative)

Residents have until the end of the week to lodge comments on proposals by McCarthy & Stone for the construction of 74 retirement apartments in the centre of Bradley Stoke.

The proposed development, on Savages Wood Road, just south of the Tesco Extra store, consists of 50 one and two bedroom private apartments in one building and 24 affordable apartments in a separate unit.

The company announced in January that it had “acquired an interest” in the vacant plot of land, which had previously been earmarked for a hotel and restaurant. A public exhibition of plans was then held in early February before a formal planning application was lodged with South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) on 16th March.

McCarthy & Stone

A spokesperson for McCarthy & Stone commented:

“We are proud of our vision for the future of the site which offers an exemplary design whilst introducing a scheme which will be an asset to the town and the local community. We believe this proposal will help satisfy a specific local need for older people in Bradley Stoke. We are especially pleased to be able to provide much needed affordable dwellings within the plans. It is important that local residents have the opportunity later in life to stay close to their home town and their family. At present there is no specialist retirement accommodation in the area and this development would meet this need.”

The spokesperson continued:

“The submitted plans will make efficient use of the site and provide accommodation that is currently absent in Bradley Stoke. I would like to thank everyone who has provided us with their feedback on the plans. To ensure the community remains updated we are sending newsletters to residents and businesses close to the site. I would like to encourage anyone who has any further questions to contact our freephone information line number on 0800 298 7040 or visit our dedicated website at www.consultation-online.co.uk/bradleystoke.”

Comments received during the pre-application phase were generally positive with regard to the overall design and appearance of the proposed development. Some respondents suggested that the site is unsuitable for the elderly “due to the busy road and roundabout” and others warned the developers of potential noise from the nearby Three Brooks public house and the delivery yard of the Tesco superstore. Concerns were also raised about the pedestrian route adjacent to the site, which links the pedestrian crossing on Savages Wood Road with the Town Square.

Bradley Stoke Mayor Ben Walker reported to the February meeting of the Town Council’s Finance Committee that he had spoken to McCarthy & Stone about including a space for a permanent war memorial within the development and it was agreed to ask the developer to “set aside a semi-circular area with a wall that could, in the future, be used as a place to remember those who have fallen in combat”.

Since the formal application was lodged, SGC’s Urban Design Officer Dan Jones has raised concerns over the separation of the owned and tenanted parts of the scheme, in terms of appearance, amenities and vehicular access (owner occupiers will have access from Savages Wood Road while tenants will have to drive in and out via the Tesco delivery yard).

The deadline for comments on the proposal is Friday 29th April. To contribute, click on the ‘Comment on Application’ link at the top of the SGC case file page.

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