New retirement homes plan for Shrewsbury boosted after talks

McCarthy & Stone has been seeking permission to build the apartments on land at 117/125 Wenlock Road, Shrewsbury.However, at a planning committee meeting in August a decision was deferred over queries from councillors about the level of affordable housing contribution from McCarthy & Stone.It had been set at £110,000, but has now been increased to £177,877, and the matter is recommended for approval at today’s meeting of the Central Planning Committee.The developer is providing an affordable housing contribution because there will be no actual affordable housing built as part of the development.A report to be assessed by the committee members states that the inclusion of affordable housing could lead to tensions between open market customers and housing associations and tenants.The report also outlines why officers are recommending the new affordable housing contribution as acceptable. Officers have also said the application will help to release other family homes to the market.