Plans are in for a purpose-built retirement community on green belt land in Huntington, York.
The owners of the farmland site on North Lane have partnered with developer Equans to put forward the plans which include 33 accessible homes aimed at older people, with a mix of bungalows, dormer bungalows, cottage apartments and two-storey properties.
There would also be a community hub with café, hairdressers and healthcare rooms “to help to minimise loneliness and foster a sense of community,” say the developers.
Planning documents state: “As the site is located in the Green Belt and the proposed use does not fall into any of the categories of appropriate development, demonstration of very special circumstances is required.”
A clear need for older persons housing in both Huntington and the wider City of York has been demonstrated and the delivery of 33 extra care units on the site would make a valuable contribution towards meeting that need.
The very special circumstances in this case, the developers say, include the creation of much needed older persons housing. And older people moving into the development would free up other homes, improving the housing supply.
David Mellor, development director at Equans, said: “These plans represent a huge opportunity to meet the growing need for specialist retirement living in this part of York, whilst also creating space for residents to come together and socialise, fostering a sense of well-being and enabling older people to live independently.”
You can read and comment on the plans here.