Plans go in for £20m retirement community on site of former police station

Retirement living specialist, McCarthy Stone, has submitted plans to Cheshire East Council to transform land at Wilmslow Police Station into a £20m high quality retirement living community.

If approved, the plans would deliver a mix of 56 one- and two-bedroom retirement living apartments, set within landscaped gardens, with sufficient on-site car parking. The site is an ideal location for this type of accommodation, in close proximity to the town centre, including its many shops, cafes and public transport connections.

A replacement police station is proposed on land to the south of the site and is subject to a separate planning application made by Cheshire Constabulary.

Ahead of submitting a planning application, McCarthy Stone carried out a public consultation with the local community on its initial proposals, feedback from which has helped to inform the submitted plans.

Cheshire East Council’s Local Plan has recognised the need to meet the housing requirements of its growing ageing population. McCarthy Stone’s proposals would help to address this issue, allowing local older people in Wilmslow the opportunity to downsize into a more suitable home, while staying close to friends and family.

Ian Wilkins, divisional managing director at McCarthy Stone, said: “As recognised in the Local Plan, there is a real need for specialist retirement accommodation in Wilmslow.

“We look forward to working closely with Cheshire East Council to progress these proposals and to address this local need.”