Senior living scheme proposed in Chester

Retirement Villages has submitted plans to redevelop the former Beechmoor Garden Centre on Whitchurch Road, Boughton Heath into 147 apartments.

The developer has revealed new images of the scheme, which is to include the apartments alongside open spaces and amenities including a community shop, gym, wellness suite and café, to be open to local people.

Submission of the plans to Cheshire West & Chester Council follows a two-stage public consultation. The developer said that in response to feedback, the height and width of buildings and overall number of apartments has been reduced. By proposing a series of villas, set back from the road and screened with planting and trees, the buildings will be less visible than a previous developer’s approved plans at the site.

Guy Flintoft, planning director of Retirement Villages, said: “This retirement village is designed to benefit not only its residents but the surrounding area. We’ve listened to local feedback, which has influenced the design but also the range of community amenities we’re proposing.

“Most people we consulted agreed with our plans to create a series of villas and the proposed layout of the buildings. However, we know that there are existing issues with the hamburger roundabout and that Cheshire West & Chester Council are undertaking a study to look at how it could function better.

“We’ve proposed a different access which will have less impact than the plans previously approved for the site and have included improved walking and cycling connections. While it’s not in our scope to radically change the local road network we’re committed to working with the council and other stakeholders to help find a long term solution.”

The so-called “hamburger” roundabout has long been a contentious issue in the area. It was remodelled in 2011 following a planning inspector’s ruling on a large residential scheme in Saighton, with further changes being made in 2014.

The village has been designed by architect RCKa. The planning consultant is Barton Willmore and community consultation is managed by Font Communications.

Now operational for 40 years, Retirement Villages has delivered 16 retirement communities in the UK. The business was acquired by AXA in 2017 and has a £200m development pipeline.

The proposed retirement scheme sits on a former garden centre site