FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Got a question? If it’s not answered in the FAQs below just get in touch here.
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We have submitted plans to build a new retirement village on the site of the Beechmoor Garden Centre on Whitchurch Road, Boughton Heath, Chester. The former Beechmoor Garden Centre site has existing planning permission, gained by another developer, for a retirement village, however we have worked up a new plan to improve the scheme. This alternative vision addresses many of the points and concerns raised by the local community about the previous proposal and seeks to maximise benefits for the local area.
During the consultation you told us that the buildings should be in keeping with the local area, with thought given to the scale and size, and integrated with green areas and open space.
In response, we’ve proposed a series of villas sat within the landscape which will help to reduce the visual impact of the development and ensure it integrates into the local area.
You told us that one of the best things about living in Boughton Heath is that it’s close to the city and the countryside. So we’ve shaped the scheme to ensure that it reflects the unique character of Boughton Heath, as well as Chester and the surrounding Cheshire countryside.
There will be up to 147 apartments across the six villas which will be available to buy and rent. The villas range between three and five storeys, located away from the site edges and screened with planting and trees so they are less visible from Whitchurch Road. By staggering the layout of the buildings, which also have a smaller footprint and narrower frontages, we can reduce the visual impact of the proposals and better reflect the character of the local area compared to the plans currently approved for the site.
We want to deliver a sustainable development that promotes community health and wellbeing, and encourage the local community and people using the Park and Ride to enjoy the public spaces at the retirement village.
We’ve taken on board your views on what kind of facilities you’d like to see and that these shouldn’t compete with what’s already in Boughton Heath.
We’re planning:
- A small ‘community shop’ (selling key groceries like milk and bread) which will be run by us and shouldn’t compete with what’s already in the local area
- A café where you can sit and enjoy a coffee or grab a takeout on your way to the Park and Ride
- A wellness suite with a gym, swimming pool and treatment rooms, which local people could use (providing you don’t arrive by car!)
- Open spaces and a community square
- Walking and cycle routes through the site connecting to the canal cycle network
- A sustainable transport hub with cycles for hire meaning people using the Park and Ride could cycle into Chester
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Retirement Villages has been developing and managing purpose built, retirement communities throughout the UK for nearly 40 years. Inspired originally by retirement communities in America, often built around golf courses and extensive leisure facilities, the idea was adapted to meet the very different lifestyles, needs and ambitions of older people in the UK.
We have 16 villages across the UK, each in a beautiful setting and in select locations across the country. We place community and wellbeing at the heart of our villages, encouraging interaction between residents and the wider community. We have consistently won recognition within the industry, receiving national awards for our villages as well as prizes for outstanding landscaping and gardens.
The Chester retirement village will be the first in a new generation of developments that are designed to benefit and be part of the local community.
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There will be homes both for rent and for sale.
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As with any community, the needs will vary depending on the individual. The retirement village will include a level of healthcare provision for people to access on site. Evidence shows that moving into a community, such as a retirement village, that is specifically designed for older people actually helps maintain people’s well-being. When people have a strong community and an active lifestyle they need less healthcare support because they are happy and supported.
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We believe that our villages should be open and useful places for people living nearby so we’re looking at what amenities we can provide that local people can also use.
We want to encourage the local community and people using the Park and Ride to enjoy the public spaces at the retirement village. We’ve taken on board your views on what kind of facilities you’d like to see and that these shouldn’t compete with what’s already in Boughton Heath.
We’re planning:
- A small ‘community shop’ (perhaps selling vegetables from the local allotments alongside key groceries like milk and bread) which will be run by us and shouldn’t compete with what’s already in the local area
- We’re also planning a café where you can sit and enjoy a coffee or grab a takeout on your way to the Park and Ride
- We’re looking at a wellness suite with a gym, swimming pool and treatment rooms, which local people could use (providing you don’t arrive by car!)
- Open spaces and a community square
- Walking and cycling routes through the site
- A sustainable transport hub with cycles for hire meaning people using the Park and Ride could cycle into Chester
Please tell us what you think about the facilities we’re proposing by filling in our online questionnaire
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We expect to submit a planning application in Summer 2020 with a decision from Cheshire West and Chester Council expected before the end of the year. We expect the construction period to be around two years.
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People aged 65 and over (including couples where one person is younger than 65) will be welcome to make the village their home. A retirement village is not a care home, and will be attractive to people who want to live independently but with the ease of life and reassurance that comes from having amenities and services close at hand including care and support when needed.
People make our villages their home at a variety of ages for a range of reasons, but having done so really enjoy being able to continue to live life as they choose whilst enjoying all the village offers and many say they wish they’d moved sooner. Whether they want to stay active within the community, continue paid or voluntary work, spend more time with their families, put their feet-up or all of the above, we’ll be there to help make it easy and enjoyable.
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Our plans will deliver a wide range of benefits for the local community:
- A small ‘community shop’ will be run by us and shouldn’t compete with what’s already in the local area
- A café where you can sit and enjoy a coffee or grab a takeout on your way to the Park and Ride
- A wellness suite with a gym, swimming pool and treatment rooms, which local people could use (providing you don’t arrive by car!)
- Open spaces and a community square
- Walking and cycle routes through the site connecting to the canal cycle network
- A sustainable transport hub with cycles for hire meaning people using the Park and Ride could cycle into Chester
- A £39m boost to the local economy, creating more than 300 jobs through the construction process
- Increase spending in the local area by £1.5 million every year
- Create 300 jobs through the construction process with a commitment to sourcing suppliers and materials within 25 miles of the site.
- 30 full time on-site jobs
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The main benefit for the local area is the amenities that local people will be able to use. The development would also provide a boost to the local economy creating around 30 jobs when the site is completed, plus more than 300 jobs during construction. We’re also committing to sourcing suppliers and materials within 25 miles of the site.
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