After a successful planning appeal, Churchill Retirement Living has been granted planning permission to build 57 brand new independent living retirement apartments in Honiton. Regenerating the former cattle market site on Silver Street, the new development will bring a thriving new community to the heart of town, contributing around £440k a year to the local economy and supporting over 112 jobs both during and after construction.
This successful appeal supersedes a previous appeal decision in August 2021, which was subsequently quashed by order of the High Court following a Judicial Review.
In his decision notice, the Government’s Planning Inspector Jonathan Bore noted that there was no convincing evidence of harm to the farming sector or any likelihood that the site’s former use as a cattle market would resume. He concluded that “the proposed housing scheme represents a much more appropriate development for this brownfield site adjacent to a town centre than a reoccupation by the last previous use, or re-use or redevelopment for business purposes.”
The new development will provide attractive, high quality, secure and self-contained accommodation in landscaped grounds. As with all Churchill Retirement Living developments, Owners will enjoy independent living and a sense of community, with a communal Owners’ Lounge, a Guest Suite, a Lodge Manager, and a 24 hour emergency call alarm service.
Stuart Goodwill, Managing Director of Churchill’s planning consultancy, said: “After a long appeal process, this is a very positive result and we will now look forward to starting work as soon as possible on this new development which will create a vibrant new community in the heart of Honiton. Retirement housing is the most effective form of residential development for generating local economic growth, supporting local jobs, and increasing high street spend. The new apartments will also help improve the health and wellbeing of those who live there, and meet the housing needs of many older people in Honiton and the surrounding area.”
The new development will meet existing and future need in the local area and will provide these key benefits:
- Benefits the local economy by around £440,000 per year as its central location encourages residents to shop locally.
- Supports around 112 local jobs both during and after construction.
- Allows older people to downsize and free up under occupied houses in the local area for families – we estimate around 114 second hand homes will be released onto the market, helping around 38 first time buyers onto the ladder.
- Each person living in a retirement property typically experiences reduced health risks, contributing to fiscal savings to local NHS and social care services of c.£3,500 per person per year. The development in Honiton will therefore create total health and social care savings of over £255,000 per year.
- Provides older people with safety, security and companionship.
- Provides an attractive, bespoke building which complements the existing streetscape.
- Reduces the need to travel by car, due to proximity to local facilities.