Council bosses urge retirement community plans thrown out

They are concerned that the rural village setting of Walton, near Wakefield, will be dwarfed by the proposals to create a 129-home continuing care community for the elderly, on its outskirts and are urging councillors to reject the proposals.

Hanover Developments wants outline planning permission to build a continuing care retirement community on the south eastern edge of the village of Walton, near Wakefield.

The 4.77 hectare site is currently agricultural land with mature planting along the boundaries of the site.

Some objections to the proposal have been received - but the vast majority are in favour with over 800 letters of support received.

The proposal will be discussed by members of Wakefield Council’s planning and highways committee when it meets on Thursday, when members will have to decide whether to refuse the application or go against council officer recommendation and give the proposals the green light.

A report prepared for committee members says: “The proposed Continuing Care Retirement Community represents unsustainable development on a greenfield site outside the settlement boundary of the village of Walton.

“In village locations only small scale development should be allowed which supports rural diversification, creates local community facilities, meets local housing needs or maintains the viability of existing services.

“The scale of development proposed exceeds that set out for villages and will have a detrimental impact on the location and the character of Walton.“

At this stage of the application process it is envisaged that 13 bungalows, 24 houses and 92 apartments, together with facilities such as a chemist, shop, bowling green, restaurant/bar, medical facilities, allotments and other facilities.

They would provide care for the over-55s.

Supporters of the project argue the area needs this kind of housing provision, if the site is to be developed objectors say this will be the most preferable, they also claim the development would boost the local economy and provide local jobs.

They are also aware of another application for the site to turn it into a temporary site for use by the travelling community and claim a retirement village would be a preferable option.

Objectors claim village amenities will be unable to cope, say it is a departure from the council’s development plan, existing parking problems will be exacerbated, there are fears that there is inadequate access to the site and opponents also have worries about highway safety.

The report to be considered by members on Thursday adds: “Concerns have been raised that the scale of the proposal would radically alter the age demographic of the village and have a detrimental impact on the community.

“The Parish Council have stated that there is local support for additional housing for elderly residents in Walton and the existing sheltered housing facility has an extensive waiting list.

“However, there is no evidence that there is a need in Walton or the immediate surrounding area of the site for a development on this scale and the supporting information submitted with the application demonstrates a need for additional housing for the elderly in need of care at a district level.

“It is clear from the information provided that the proposal does not seek to provide continuing care housing to meet just the local needs of Walton village and the surrounding area but the scheme is said to benefit the District as a whole,” the report adds

A previous outline planning application for a 250 home retirement community on the site was earlier rejected by councillors.

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