Princes Risborough planning appeal granted

SHELTERED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TO GO AHEAD IMMEDIATELY

Award-winning Churchill Retirement Living, the UK's fastest growing privately owned retirement house builder, has been granted planning permission on appeal for 46 sheltered apartments for the elderly (31 x 1-bed flats and 15 x 2-bed flats) at 2, 4 & 6 Wellington Avenue, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. The appeal followed the refusal of planning permission by Wycombe District Council in 2009 because of concerns regarding potential overlooking and a reduced financial contribution towards off site affordable housing. Churchill Retirement appealed to the Government and the Planning Inspector considering the case has concluded that the development can go ahead.

The Inspector recognised that there was a limited stock of owner/occupied sheltered housing in the area and the benefits gained in helping to satisfy the special housing needs of the elderly. He considered that the retirement development would not have a significant adverse effect on the living conditions of the occupiers of the adjoining property.

This prestigious development will comprise an Owners' Lounge, Guest Suite and communal gardens, and is superbly located within walking distance of the shops and amenities in Princes Risborough town centre.

Churchill Retirement Living builds retirement apartments at carefully selected locations across the South of England and Midlands, offering the very best of local amenities and shopping; at the same time providing Owners with independence, security and 24-hour support and help when required.

Spencer McCarthy, Chairman and Group Managing Director said, "I am delighted that we have won the appeal and we will be starting construction straightaway. Our Planning Consultants, Planning Issues Ltd, were successful in negotiating a reduced financial contribution towards off site affordable housing with the Council. Planning Issues also won the argument that the proposal would not result in ‘perceived overlooking' and that the proposal has been sensitively designed to respect adjoining properties.”

Customers wishing to find out more about this new development should contact our Customer Enquiry Team on 0800 458 1857. McCarthy continued,

"This development will be our second in Buckinghamshire, which is due to Customer demand. According to a Government report "A National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society”, over the next 30 years, the population aged 65 years and over is set to rise from 9.7 million to 17million, an increase of 76 per cent. The number of people aged 75 years and over is expected to increase by 4.4 million, or 95 per cent, and the number of people aged 85 years and over is likely to rise by 2.3 million, an increase of 184 per cent. Looking further into the future, a child born today has a one in five chance of celebrating his or her one hundredth birthday.”

At present there are only approximately 50,000 private sheltered housing units in the UK which is insufficient to meet demand. With the projected growth in the elderly population, Churchill retirement living predict demand for this type of housing will increase by a minimum of 35,000 homes by 2020. Assuming the rate of demand remains constant there will be a shortage of 62,500 units by 2020 if the rate of provision does not increase.

The paucity of supply is illustrated by the fact that nearly 40% of prospective Owners are having difficulties in finding suitable private sheltered housing.

By moving into private sheltered housing, elderly people are taking an active decision to secure their quality of life and independent living. Without more private sheltered housing, a generation of old people will be deprived of the opportunity to move to more suitable accommodation.

For further information on the planning appeal please contact Andrew Burgess Managing Director of Planning Issues Ltd, planning consultants for Churchill Retirement Living. Tel 01425 462175 andrew.burgess@planningissues.co.uk

Click here to read the Appeal Decision in full.