Permission granted for McCarthy Stone’s 52 Prestwich retirement apartments

Bury Council’s planning committee has approved the proposals to demolish the Fairways Lodge and Leisure Centre off George Street to make way for the development.

Once the hotel has been torn down, McCarthy Stone will deliver 52 retirement living apartments featuring a resident’s lounge, guest suite, manager’s office, and reception in its place.

There will be a mixture of apartments within the three-storey ‘L’ shaped building, comprising of 30 one-bed, and 22 two-bed homes.

Parking will be to the north of the site accessed from George Street with shared amenity space for the residents largely provided to the south and east of the building.

Despite a raft of objections to the loss of the hotel and leisure centre, the plans had been tipped for approval by officers and Bury’s planning committee opted to follow the recommendations.

Ciaran Aldridge, divisional managing director at McCarthy Stone North, praised the committee’s decision.

“We are delighted that our plans for new Retirement Living accommodation have been approved by Bury Council,” he said.

“Our exciting plans for Prestwich will grow our presence in this highly sought-after location,” Aldridge continued. “The development will help to address a critical need for retirement accommodation in the area, providing housing choice for local older people, whilst also freeing up family homes in the wider housing market for local families and first-time buyers.

Aldridge also commented on other benefits the scheme may provide: “Re-utilising this previously-developed, brownfield site will also help relieve pressure for the release of greenfield land for housing,” he said.

“Our residents typically use shops and services on their doorstep and, as such, this development will provide a vital boost to businesses in the area, putting more money into the local economy.”

The project team for the development features PLB, Three Dragons, Mulberry, LDE, Focus, Lees Roxburgh, Kenny, and Transport Planning.

To view the plans, search for application reference number 70484 on Bury Council’s planning portal.