PLANS for new retirement living apartments in Romsey have met with criticism from a neighbour.

Churchill Retirement Living is drawing up a scheme for a purpose-built retirement development at the former Edwina Mountbatten House care home.

They have recently put hoardings up around the property.

David Williams, of Palmerston Street, said: “This development is in a conservation area of the town adjacent to the entrance to the Broadlands estate and it would appear to me that no consideration for this has been taken into account with the proposed plans. They are a replica of many of their existing developments.

“The developer has already angered local residents by its aggressive approach to the development and recently erected a nine-foot high hoarding around the old building advertising the development and inviting inquiries to live there.

“This development will have many objections from the height of the building going from a single storey to a three storey looking directly into the existing houses. The proximity of the building to the road is very close to the pavement and will amplify the road traffic noise dramatically. 

READ MORE: Developer to hold consultation on plans for Edwina Mountbatten House

“The overall design of the building not being in keeping with local architecture and historic buildings, in fact no adjustments to the building design whatsoever instead they have just thrown out a bog standard corporate design to maximise company profits with no consideration for the local community that will be forced to live with the outcome.”

The plans can be viewed on Churchill's website. It said: “Churchill acquired the Edwina Mountbatten House following a detailed sale process, which was undertaken by the Edwina Mountbatten Romsey Memorial Trust, following their decision to close the former care home in July 2022.

“We believe the site will make the perfect location for a new retirement community, close to Romsey town centre, the proposed development would bring additional footfall for town centre traders and local expenditure. A new retirement living development in this location would also meet the local need for new homes specifically for older people. 

“The current building of the former care home is dated, having been built in late 1960's, and is in a poor state of repair externally and internally. The current building therefore detracts from the surroundings and the redevelopment of the site presents the opportunity to provide a betterment on this key gateway to Romsey town centre.”

To view the plans online, visit consultwithyou.co.uk/churchill/romsey/home.