£26m retirement village is given the go-ahead (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)
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£26m retirement village is given the go-ahead
11:11am Thursday 21st June 2012 in News By Laura Shack
An artist's impression of the proposed £26million care community at Siddington Park Farm, South Cerney
A NEW luxurious £26 million retirement village that could create 115 jobs is set to be built in South Cerney.
At last week’s Cotswold District Council planning meeting councillors approved the development, which has a swimming pool at its heart, but warned it would only solve the needs of the wealthy.
Plans for the expansive retirement complex at Siddington Park Farm off the A419 feature a core building of 36 intensive care bedrooms, 30 close care units and 20 assisted living units, plus a further 79 assisted living apartments onsite.
The 3.1 hectare development would range in height from one to four storeys, built around a centre with a swimming pool, gym and therapy rooms.
Other facilities proposed for the continuing care complex by ECV Cirencester Ltd are a consultancy and treatment centre, restaurant, café, library, IT suite and hair salon.
It is anticipated that 56 full-time and 59 part-time jobs will be created by the development, which is partly based on designated employment land.
"There’s no consideration for the people that can’t afford it here. This offers them nothing."
Cllr Margaret Rickman
Councillors gave the go ahead to the plans on several conditions, including that local people get priority for accommodation and a travel plan would be created to transport residents offsite.
Cllr Joe Harris (Lib Dem, Cirencester-Park) said he had experienced the "nightmare" shortage in care facilities when trying to re-home his own grandparent and urged councillors to approve the application.
"We’ve got an ageing population across the country," he said. "We’ve got a responsibility to prepare for this."
Cllr Margaret Rickman (Lib Dem, Cirencester-Chesterton) agreed there was a need, but said the complex would only cater for the wealthy and would not sort out a wider problem in the district.
"We’ve got to see the bigger picture," she said. "There’s no consideration for the people that can’t afford it here. This offers them nothing."
Does the Cotswolds need more exclusive care homes for the elderly? Have your say by commenting below, or by emailing wgsnews@wiltsglosstandard.co.uk
