Agenda item

Public Participation Submissions and Written Representations

Minutes:

 

 

 

3/21/1556/FUL - REDEVELOPMENT OF WIMBORNE MARKET TO CONTINUING CARE COMMUNITY COMPRISING OF 67 AGE RESTRICTED APARTMENTS, 26 AGE RESTRICTED BUNGALOWS, 6 AGE RESTRICTED CHALET BUNGALOWS, ONE WELLNESS CENTRE, 9 OPEN MARKET HOUSES, PARKING , HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND PEDESTRIAN LINK (DESCRIPTION AMENDED 24.09.2021 AS AGREED TO INCLUDE DWELLING NUMBERS) AT WIMBORNE MARKET, STATION TERRACE, WIMBORNE MINSTER

 

Stephanie Tulk

 

I believe the proposed redevelopment of the land at Wimborne Market will be a great improvement on what is there now.   This site is surrounded on all sides by either housing or industrial units and does not impact on any SSSIs.  Surface water drainage flood risks can be cured by proper soak-away drainage which surely can't be an issue for this company or the council to cure, and with a large elderly population in the area the community can only benefit from this change of usage.  The reinstatement of the pedestrian link between Station Terrace and Grenville Road is long overdue.    This application appears to be a win-win situation for the Town.   The Council and the Applicant should be able to sort this out by conversation without the costs involved of going to appeal.

 

 

-------

 

John Burtenshaw

 

As my flat overlooks the site I fully support the redevelopment of Wimborne Market as proposed by McCarthy and Stone. The current area is an eyesore with derelict buildings and prone to anti-social behaviour.

 

The proposal is inline with the Government policy of increasing care facilities for the elderly.

 

For your information the entrance to the original Cattle Market was always Granville Road prior to the closure of Wimborne railway station on 2 May 1977.

 

All the plans are doing is to re-establish the entrance to the site.

 

Whatever development of the Market site is proposed, a minority Granville Road residents will always attempt to block it. This cannot be allowed.

 

-------

 

 

Mr Paull, Divisional MD - McCarthy & Stone - Applicant

 

 Chairman and Members of the Committee, my name is Shane Paull and I am the Divisional Managing Director of McCarthy and Stone.

 

As the UK’s largest developer of retirement communities I am pleased to present this is exciting opportunity to develop the first ever Urban Retirement Village in the UK and where better than the thriving town of Wimborne, close to the roots of the company and indeed mine.

 

The local need for this type of accommodation will allow older people to live more independently for longer in accordance with relevant Planning Policy Guidance as detailed in the submitted documentation and endorsed by Dorset’s Spatial Planning Team

The pandemic has shown us how important private space, community and companionship is to our homeowners. The landscape led scheme shows bungalows nestled in the grounds of the apartment block which fronts onto the village green and the wide range of communal facilities , health and wellbeing spaces. This scheme provide this and the services on offer includes a 24 hour staff presence and create a minimum of 20 full time jobs.

 

In addition, the development will embrace modern methods of construction. The bungalows will be developed in partnership with Rollalong, a Verwood based company which provides local employment. The bungalows will be of modular construction, a highly sustainable process which through the “fabric first” approach, will also result in buildings with lower energy needs than traditional buildings. This is good for both the environment and occupiers.

 

This investment is further enhanced by our commitment to use our local sub contractor network which we have grown after recent schemes in Broadstone, Dorchester and Poole. Financially this proposal is a commitment in excess of £23 million in construction and development costs.

 

The last two years has seen planning delays, whilst pent up demand has continued for our product. Therefore we are in a position to commit to a build start on site in the first half of 2022 and completion of the scheme in 2024.

 

I hope members share our excitement in seeing the first of this new flagship product in Wimborne and I am confident that its success will lead to a National roll out. I would also like to thank officers who have worked with us throughout this application and local stakeholders who have listened intently to these plans. Thank you