After a successful planning appeal, Churchill Retirement Living has been granted planning permission to build 49 brand new independent living retirement apartments and 7 retirement cottages near the centre of Evesham. Regenerating the brownfield site off Swan Lane, the new development will bring a thriving new community to the heart of town, contributing around £2.4 million to the local economy and supporting over 100 jobs both during and after construction. The developer will also make a £63,125 contribution to Affordable Housing in the local area.
In the appeal decision notice, the Government’s Planning Inspector Matthew Woodward stated that the proposed development would “make a substantial contribution towards Wychavon’s housing targets” and “would also provide housing for older people, which is much needed in the locality, particularly given that only a limited number of units of this type have been built in Wychavon over the last 10 years.”
The Inspector also stated that “redevelopment of this site would bring previously developed and underutilised land into residential use,” that it would make a positive contribution towards the character and appearance of the local Conservation Area, and that it would deliver “temporary benefits to the local economy during the construction phase and long-term benefits through a likely increase in spending in Evesham by future residents of the development.”
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: “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 Evesham. Retirement housing is the most effective form of residential development for generating local economic growth, supporting local jobs, and increasing high street spend as we look to recover from the pandemic. The new apartments and cottages will also help improve the health and wellbeing of those who live there, and meet the housing needs of many older people in Evesham 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 £2.4 million (GVA) as its central location encourages residents to shop locally.
- Supports around 105 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 110 second hand homes will be released onto the market, helping around 37 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 Evesham will therefore create total health and social care savings of over £269,000 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.