Mid Sussex Times

Plans for East Grinstead ‘retirement community’

- Lawrence Smith lawrence.smith@nationalwo­rld.com

A retirement living provider is hoping to develop a site in East Grinstead into 150 stateof-the-art one, two and three bedroom apartments, and two bedroom bungalows.

Rangeford Villages announced that, following an exchange of contracts, a hybrid planning applicatio­n (DM/23/2699) for an integrated retirement community (IRC) and wider mixed-use community has been submitted to Mid-Sussex District Council by promoter Wellbeck.

The retirement village operator said this applicatio­n is being considered and can be viewed at pa.midsussex.gov. uk/online-applicatio­ns.

Rangeford Villages aims to develop its section of the site, which is part of the existing Imberhorne Farm, subject to detailed planning consent.

Doug Jones, land and planning director of Rangeford Villages, said: “We are delighted to have successful­ly secured yet another highqualit­y site. We look forward to working with the wider consultanc­y team to bring the exciting plans to life, and to introduce Rangeford’s highly coveted lifestyle-focused living to the over-60 community in and around East Grinstead and we urgently require similar opportunit­ies.”

The whole planning applicatio­n, which the district council received on October 6 last year, is for land south and west of Imberhorne Upper

School. It seeks: outline planning permission for a mixed use developmen­t comprising up to 550 dwellings (use Class C3); a care village of up to 150 dwellings (use Class 2); land for a two form entry primary school (including early years provision and special needs education provision), a mixed use neighbourh­ood centre, allotments, landscapin­g and sustainabl­e urban drainage. It also seeks: full planning permission for playing fields, a new sports pavilion, and a running track associated with Imberhorne Secondary School, a Suitable Alternativ­e Natural Greenspace (SANG) with an associated car park, access from Imberhorne Lane, an internal road to the SANG and associated landscapin­g and infrastruc­ture.

Rangeford Villages said its part of the site will have a gym and spa with a swimming pool and sauna, plus a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, and a hair and beauty salon. Rangeford Villages also has plans for communal gardens with a village green, croquet lawn, boule court and allotments.

 ?? Photo: Google Maps ?? The rough location for the site of the outline planning applicatio­n in East Grinstead
Photo: Google Maps The rough location for the site of the outline planning applicatio­n in East Grinstead

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