Retirement living development set for green light

A job-creating retirement living development proposed for a Birmingham site previously home to an automotive sales business has been recommended for approval.McCarthy Stone and Liberty Care Developments have lodged proposals to transform land at Orphanage Road, Erdington.The site was formerly occupied by the Abbey Service Centre, a car sales business and retail showroom. It has now been cleared and remediated.Proposals comprise a retirement living complex of 53 one- and two-bed apartments, designed to be occupied by residents aged 60 and above.A 77-bed care home is also proposed aimed at providing 24-hour specialist care for residents with dementia and other complex care and medical needs.Up to 75 full time equivalent jobs would be created by the care home development.A statement submitted to Birmingham City Council on behalf of the applicants said: “The proposal makes use of a sustainably located previously developed site and will provide future residents with access to a range of facilities, services and sustainable transportation hubs. The provision of retirement apartments and a care home will help to meet the housing needs of the city.”Through the provision of alternative accommodation options for older people, more family-sized homes will be made available throughout the city. This will help to maximise the number and range of homes that are available to meet the needs of Birmingham’s population.”The council’s planning committee will review the application on 9 November.A report for the committee said: “The proposal constitutes a sustainable form of redevelopment of a brownfield site for uses for which there is an identified need within the city.”The development would make a positive impact on the character of the area, have no adverse effect on the setting of nearby heritage assets, provide adequate levels of amenity and would not result in any harm to highway safety.”