Retirement apartments may replace The Hornet's car showroom

Churchill Retirement Living submitted a plan for 35 apartments to replace the current WKB Toyota car dealership in The Hornet, Chichester, after its previous plan was rejected by Chichester District Council.

The application is for the development of 117, The Hornet – comprising of one and two bed sheltered apartments for the elderly, including communal facilities, access, 14 car parking spaces and landscaping.

The proposed building height varies between two and a half and three storeys along the street frontage, stepping down on the eastern side to reflect the lower scale of houses.

The original application was refused on the grounds that the proposal was ‘contrary to the provisions of the Chichester Local Plan’ and that it failed to meet the target for affordable housing.

Churchill Retirement Living went to appeal, which is due to be heard on September 8 at East Pallant House.

The developer has now put in a new application following discussions with council officers.

Andrew Burgess, planning director of Churchill Retirement Living said: “The revised planning application for The Hornet in Chichester contains more detailed marketing analysis and commercial viability assessment of the existing site, establishing more clearly the benefits of the proposed change of use, and the lack of need for the current use.

“There is a real need for private retirement housing in the Chichester area and our proposed development will go some way to increasing access to this type of housing for local residents.

“As well as meeting the need for high-quality retirement apartments, the development will bring significant benefits to the local economy in Chichester.

“Owners will be within walking distance of many amenities such as shops and restaurants, helping to boost the local economy.”

He added: “The new development we are proposing will provide attractive, high quality, secure, self-contained apartments in landscaped grounds, with parking provided for both private and public use.

“As with all Churchill developments, owners will have the benefits of a lodge manager, 24 hour careline, owners’ lounge and guest suite.”

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