Churchill Retirement Living has been granted planning permission to build 42 brand new retirement apartments in Totnes, along with two new retail units for independent retailers, enabling the developer to bring new jobs, investment and extra spending to the town.
After being approved by the Council Planning Committee, the site on Station Road will be regenerated to create a thriving new community close to local shops, amenities, leisure facilities and public transport links. At the request of the Town Council it will also maintain 25 public parking spaces to support the ongoing vitality of the town centre.
The development will support around 80 new jobs both during and after its construction, and will bring around £1.8 million of extra spending to the local high street. It will provide attractive, high quality, secure and self-contained accommodation in landscaped grounds, where apartment Owners will enjoy independent living and a sense of community, with the benefits of a communal Owners’ Lounge, a Guest Suite, a Lodge Manager, and a 24 hour emergency call alarm service.
Stuart Goodwill, Managing Director of Churchill Retirement Living’s in-house Planning consultancy, said: “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 Totnes. Retirement housing is the most effective way of generating local economic growth, local jobs, and increasing high street spend as we look to recover from the pandemic. 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 Totnes and the surrounding area.”
Delivery of new retirement apartments will meet existing and future need in the area and will provide these key benefits:
- Benefits the local economy by around £1.8 million (GVA) as its central location encourages residents to shop locally.
- Supports around 80 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 84 second hand homes would be released onto the market, helping around 28 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 Totnes would therefore create total health and social care savings of around £205,000 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.