Plans for 60 'much-needed' retirement flats approved

Plans for 60 'much-needed' retirement flats have been approved off Eagle Way in Hampton, Peterborough

A six-storey "landmark" development with 60 retirement apartments has been approved in Hampton, Peterborough. 

The apartment site located off Eagle Way was proposed by McCarthy & Stone Retirement Lifestyles, and will be leased to the over-60s.

Some objections were raised on the plans over parking provisions.

Peterborough City Council's (PCC) planning committee approved the site on Thursday, with nine votes to two. 

The building will include two residents' lounges and a rooftop terrace. A new public footpath linking the nearby Lakeview Way with Braymere Road around Serpentine Lake has also been given the green light. 

Supporters of the scheme said it would provide much-needed housing for an increasingly elderly population in Peterborough.

But, Liberal Democratic councillor Christian Hogg and Brian Rush of the Peterborough First group who voted against the development, criticised the developers' contribution to local services.

A specialist consultant was appointed by the council to determine how much S106 money - a contributions sought from developers towards the costs of providing social infrastructure - should be requested from developers to put towards affordable housing.

This consultant initially suggested £271,500, but was offered £109,000 by developers plus £30,000 to offset biodiversity loss at the site, which was deemed acceptable. 

Mr Hogg said that reducing the council's S106 ask by this much was "crucifying that total completely" and accepting a "minimum standard" from developers. 

Issues were also raised over parking provision, with 40 spaces proposed. These include only three wheelchair accessible spaces for the 60 units.

Planning agent Rachel Clare said that this provision "exceeds the anticipated level of parking needed".

The successful planning application replaces an earlier application for 75 apartments with a cafe, restaurant or pub on the riverside which was permitted in 2017 but never built. 

Developers must now submit more detailed designs for their apartment complex before building work can begin.