A DEVELOPER is proposing to build a "series of villas" as part of plans for a £32m retirement village on the outskirts of Chester.

Retirement Villages wants to provide up to 147 apartments at the former Beechmoor Garden Centre on Whitchurch Road in Boughton Heath.

It says the plans are designed to be an extension of the existing community and will provide a range of amenities and outdoor spaces to complement those available to residents, which local people will be able to use.

They include:

  • A small 'community shop' which could sell vegetables from the nearby allotments, alongside key groceries
  • A café for use by local people and those using the Park and Ride
  • A wellness suite including a gym, swimming pool and treatment rooms
  • Open spaces and a community square
  • Walking and cycling routes through the site
  • A sustainable transport hub with cycles for hire meaning people using the Park and Ride could cycle into Chester

Chester and District Standard:

The proposed layout of the retirement village.

Retirement Villages has now launched the second stage of consultation on its plans before the final proposed scheme is unveiled later in the year when a planning application is due to be submitted.

The site has existing planning permission, gained by another developer, which was also for a retirement village.

If given the green light, the scheme would create 25 jobs once the site is up and running.

Since the first stage of consultation back in May, Retirement Villages says it has been reviewing the feedback it received and has used it to shape the detailed plans for the site.

Responses showed it was important to local people that the new buildings are in-keeping with the area and that thought is given to the scale and size, and how they integrate with green and open spaces.

In response, Retirement Villages says it is proposing a series of villas – ranging between three and five storeys – set back from the road and screened with planting and trees.

Chester and District Standard:

The former Beechmor Garden Centre.

Guy Flintoft, planning director for Retirement Villages, said: "We know that one of the main issues people had with the previous plans for the site was the design of the buildings.

"So, we’ve put a lot of time and effort into taking on board local feedback and looking at the character of the local area. We’re proposing a series of villas which will be set back from the road and screened with planting and trees so they are less visible from Whitchurch Road.

"During the last consultation we asked the local community what sort of amenities they would use. It was important to people that we didn't include facilities that would compete with what's already in Boughton Heath so we've taken that on board.

"We hope the village will be an asset to Boughton Heath, not only encouraging a high quality of life to those residents that live there, but also bringing amenities and green spaces to those living in the surrounding area."

The latest phase of consultation closes on August 28. A live online Q&A will be held as part of the consultation on Wednesday, August 19 from 6.30-7.30pm.

People can sign up by visiting the chesterretirementvillage.co.uk where they can also fill in an online questionnaire.

You can also get in touch by:

  • Writing to the freepost address: Freepost HAVE YOUR SAY (no stamp needed)
  • Calling 0800 689 1095 or emailing info@chesterretirementvillage.co.uk