Retirement home company revises plans for Didsbury development

Retirement living developer, McCarthy Stone, has submitted new plans for an apartments scheme at Spath Road/Lancaster Road, Didsbury.

The firm has had an ambition to expand its provision of specialist housing for elderly people in Didsbury, capitalising on a range of amenities locally.

The latest application is for a modest development of apartments in a single building, comprised 26 in total. It comes after McCarthy Stone reviewed the feedback and concerns of local residents and planning officers about a previous application and subsequent appeal for 34 apartments on the same site.

The new development will benefit from landscaped gardens, 20 car-parking spaces and a relaxing residents’ lounge for communal use. The building will also feature an array of traditional materials to ensure that the development complements the existing architecture in the local area.

Residents will be able to make use of the excellent transport links located nearby, including the high frequency Metrolink tram service and bus stops connecting the area to Altrincham, Stockport and Manchester city centre.

The apartments will be available for private sale, rent and part rent-part buy.

McCarthy Stone has now launched a public consultation to receive feedback on the revised plans.

Representatives from McCarthy Stone met with local ward councillors last month to hear their views on the proposals ahead of the wider public consultation.

Ian Wilkins, divisional managing director North, McCarthy Stone, said: “We are thrilled to bring forward this scaled-back scheme that will provide a huge boost to the retirement community in south Manchester.

“Our proposals for Didsbury will help to address an increasing demand for retirement accommodation in the area, providing housing choice for older people, whilst freeing up the wider housing market for local families and first time buyers further down the chain in an area with high demand for of these types of homes.

“We are eager to hear from the public about their views on our proposals and encourage people to go online, view the proposals and provide their feedback.”