80 retirement and starter homes planned near former Essex garden centre
The plans also include a café and shop
Flats, cottages and houses for older people and first time buyers could be built near an old garden centre in an Essex village.
80 homes are being proposed by Lifestyle Care and Community Ltd near the former Chimes Garden Centre in Nazeing, Epping Forest.
The garden centre itself is also subject to its own planning application, with Epping Forest District Council having given permission for 47 new homes to be built in the site across two phases earlier this year.
A design and access statement says the site proposed for this latest development is in the green belt, but claims the local community was consulted and the plans have the support of the parish council.
A section read: “It is clear that there is a district wide unmet need for affordable housing generally given the overall acute need for market housing.
“However, it was also made very clear during the community consultation, that there is also a specific unmet need for the provision of market housing available for young people and families to enable them to get on the housing ladder.”
Included in the overall 80 would be 52 later living apartments, which would also incorporate a café and shop.
13 retirement cottages and 4 affordable starter homes are also being proposed.
Additionally, 10 custom-build homes would be built in the site, as would a lone, detached market-rate house behind 95 Old Nazeing Road.
The plans also include access from a new mini-roundabout and improvements to the local bus service.
Open space for the future residents, including a bowling green and a children’s play area, are also included in the proposals.
According to the statement, the site has a lengthy planning history, with many previous applications having been refused by the council.
Construction has already begun on the two-phase development in Chimes Garden Centre itself, the statement continues.