Plans for new Buxton retirement complex put on hold

A major scheme to build 65 apartments for retired people on part of the former Buxton Waters bottling site has been put on hold.
Artist impression of what the retirement village may look likeArtist impression of what the retirement village may look like
Artist impression of what the retirement village may look like

McCarthy and Stone’s application for the development of Retirement Living Plus (Extra Care) apartments, on Station Road, was deferred by High Peak Borough Council’s Development and Control Committee because of concerns over its design.

The company has bought one third of the land and wants to create a four-storey building for those who are retired. But speaking after Monday’s meeting, committee chairman Councillor Dave Lomax explained why he and his colleagues have delayed making a decision on the application.

He said: “We like the concept but we didn’t like the design, the flat roof just isn’t in-keeping with the area and we felt it stuck out too much.

Councillors did a site visit before the meeting and looked at the development from all angles including going up on The Slopes and we all felt the overall look of the building needed more work so we want the developers to go away and think what is suitable for the area and then come back to us.”

The plans which have been deferred are for 27 one-bed and 38 two-bed apartments.

If approved, the development would also boast a reception, house manager’s office, staff day room and sleep over, a resident’s lounge, a restaurant with kitchen, laundry facilities, mobility scooter charging points and a guest suite.

The ground floor would also house three one-bed and eight two-bed apartments - while the first to third floors would have eight one-bed and 10 two-bed homes.

There would also be 40 car parking spaces.

The applicant says the planned the development would also create around 20 full or part-time jobs, ranging from chefs and housekeeping roles to night staff and even a hairdresser and handy man.

Speaking before the meeting Ian Wilkins, north region managing director for McCarthy and Stone, said: “We undertook an extensive consultation for the Station Road proposal. We held meetings with officers, councillors and community members, and held a public exhibition to which more than 1,000 people were invited to view the proposals and offer feedback.

“We have listened closely to community feedback, and have developed a design that complements the traditional Buxton architecture.

“Around 90 per cent of respondents to our consultation supported the proposal and High Peak Borough Council has received a number of supportive letters regarding the scheme.”