After a successful planning appeal, Churchill has been granted planning permission to build 45 brand new independent living retirement apartments at 11 The Village in Wigginton. The new development will bring a thriving new community to the heart of town, contributing around £350k a year to the local economy and supporting around 90 jobs both during and after construction.
In the appeal decision notice, the Government’s Planning Inspector Dr Rachel A Bust dismissed objections to the plans and awarded partial costs to Churchill against the City of York Council. She stated: “There is a range of benefits arising from the appeal scheme including: the provision of 45 units of specialist housing for older persons for which there is a critical need, and the proposal would make more effective use of land within a settlement with good accessibility to services and facilities. In addition, future occupiers would have the opportunity to support these services and facilities which is good for the economy and society as well as their own well-being.”
The new apartments will provide attractive, high quality, secure and self-contained accommodation in landscaped grounds. As with all Churchill Living developments, Owners will enjoy independent living and a sense of community, with a communal Owners’ Lounge, a Guest Suite, a Lodge Manager, and a 24 hour emergency call alarm service.
Stuart Goodwill, Managing Director of Churchill’s planning consultancy, said: “This is a very positive result and we will now look forward to starting work on this new development in Wigginton. Retirement housing is shown to be the most effective form of residential development for generating local economic growth, supporting local jobs, and increasing high street spend. The new apartments will also help improve the health and wellbeing of those who live there, and meet the housing needs of many older people in Wigginton and the surrounding area.”
The new development will meet existing and future need in the local area and will provide these key benefits:
- Benefits the local economy by around £350,000 per year as its central location encourages residents to shop locally.
- Supports around 90 local jobs both during and after construction.
- Allows older people to downsize and free up under occupied houses in the local area for families – we estimate around 90 second hand homes will be released onto the market, helping around 30 first time buyers onto the ladder.
- Each person living in a retirement property typically experiences reduced health risks, contributing to fiscal savings to local NHS and social care services of c.£3,500 per person per year. The development in Wigginton will therefore create total health and social care savings of around £204,750 per year.
- Provides older people with safety, security and companionship.
- Provides an attractive, bespoke building which complements the existing streetscape.
- Reduces the need to travel by car, due to proximity to local facilities.