Plans submitted for retirement village after changes to original proposals

Plans for the Chester scheme

Retirement Villages has submitted plans to Cheshire West & Chester Council for a new scheme near Chester at the former Beechmoor Garden Centre on Whitchurch Road, Boughton Heath.

The developer has revealed new images of the scheme which includes 147 apartments alongside open spaces and a range of new local community amenities, including a community shop, gym, wellness suite and café, which would all be open to local people.

The retirement village will deliver a £39m boost to the local economy, creating more than 300 jobs through the construction process. It will also increase spending in the local area by £1.5m every year, it is claimed, and create 30 full time jobs.

The developer will maximise local benefits by committing to sourcing suppliers and materials within 25 miles of the site.

The submission of the plans follows a two-stage public consultation which has helped to shape the proposals. In response to feedback, the height and width of buildings and overall number of apartments has been reduced.

By proposing a series of villas, set back from the road and screened with planting and trees, the buildings will be less visible than the plans previously approved for the site when owned by another developer.

Guy Flintoft, planning director, Retirement Villages, said: “This retirement village is designed to benefit not only its residents but the surrounding area. We’ve listened to local feedback, which has influenced the design, but also the range of community amenities we’re proposing.

“If you live locally, you’ll be able to grab a coffee from the café, make use of the gym and treatment rooms or walk or cycle through the site.

“Most people we consulted agreed with our plans to create a series of villas and the proposed layout of the buildings. However, we know that there are existing issues with the hamburger roundabout and that Cheshire West & Chester Council are undertaking a study to look at how it could function better.

“We’ve proposed a different access which will have less impact than the plans previously approved for the site and have included improved walking and cycling connections.

“While it’s not in our scope to radically change the local road network, we’re committed to working with the council and other stakeholders to help find a long term solution.”

The retirement village will become an exemplar of sustainable development helping Cheshire West & Chester tackle the climate emergency declared in the borough last year.

Through high performance construction materials, an efficient all-electric communal heating loop and renewable energy generation on site, the buildings will achieve net zero carbon emissions when in use.

Guy added: “In the UK, nearly half of carbon emissions come from buildings, so we’re really proud of the sustainability standards we’ve achieved. This will help Cheshire West & Chester tackle climate change and contribute to the UKs net zero carbon emission targets.”

The development is promoting sustainable travel with walking and cycle routes through the site connecting to the canal cycle network and a sustainable transport hub with cycle hire and electric vehicle charging points.

It also benefits from a range of high-quality open and green spaces.

Retirement Villages has been developing and managing purpose-built retirement communities for nearly 40 years, with 16 villages across the UK.

The village has been designed by award-winning architects RCKa. The planning consultant is Barton Willmore.

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