Retirement developer back with fresh plan for old police station

A DEVELOPER whose plans to build retirement apartments at a former police station were rejected by a government inspector has submitted a fresh scheme.

As reported in the A&T, the first proposals by McCarthy and Stone for 35 apartments on the vacant site in Jones Lane - which were likened to a prison - were dismissed following a public hearing last June.

The company has now submitted revised plans for the old station, which closed in 2017, to include 33 one and two-bedroom flats.

The development will also include a residents’ lounge, guest suite and parking for 23 cars.

The application to New Forest District Council states: “We believe we have created a high-quality building and environment for later-years living while enhancing a derelict and underused site."

Shane Paull, regional managing director at McCarthy and Stone, said: “Our design has been

completely revised to ensure a traditional design that will enhance the appearance of this derelict site and respect the character of neighbouring buildings and the adjacent Conservation Area.

"We strongly believe that our revised plans for Hythe represent an important opportunity to deliver much-needed specialist Retirement Living accommodation, which will improve the housing choices for older residents, whilst also regenerating a disused brownfield site that is sustainably located close to shops and services.”

The application has so far attracted seven letters of objection.

One resident wrote: “Over recent years all the major housing development in Hythe has been for retired or over-55s. Hythe is rapidly becoming the Eastbourne of the New Forest.

“Serious consideration should be given to rejecting this application in favour of a development that will bring jobs and economic benefits to the village.”

Another wrote: “There is no need for more retirement apartments in the Waterside area as there are empty apartments in Ewart Court, opposite the proposed site, as well as empty apartments both next door to the Shell garage and next door to the doctors surgery in Dibden Purlieu.

"More starter [and] affordable homes are needed for young people starting out.”

New Forest District Council is expected to make a decision on the application by March.