RETIREMENT HOMES PLAN ON CAR PARK

AMBITIOUS plans to transform a town centre car park into retirement apartments have been officially submitted to council bosses.

McCarthy and Stone has applied to Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council for permission to build 50 retirements living apartments for older homeowners on the current car park land in Church Street.

McCarthy and Stone has said that the plans draw reference from local architecture, including the use of pitched roofing and traditional red brick.

Residents were given the chance to look at the plans during a public exhibition in September and the national firm says that almost 85 per cent of respondents supported the plans in principle.

Martin Edwards, deputy regional managing director at McCarthy and Stone, said: “We are very encouraged by the local feedback we have received to date, the large majority of which supports the residential redevelopment and regeneration of this site with specialist Retirement Living accommodation for older people.”

He continued: “Our development would help meet a growing local housing need in Nuneaton. Increasing the housing choice for homeowners in later life also helps to release familysized housing back into local markets, which stimulates the housing chain and enables young families and first time buyers to have a better opportunity within the housing market.”

It was back in June when it was revealed that the Town Hall had sold off the land to the highend retirement home builder and operating firm.

While the council has released no further detail about the deal, it is understood that half a million pound from the capital receipt, which is the money the authority has gained from the sale, will be reinvested into the ongoing regeneration of the town centre.

According to the application, the council’s target decision date on whether to give the plans the go ahead is January 29 next year.