Retirement homes planned for historic Wolverhampton school site
Plans to turn land at an historic Wolverhampton School into dozens of apartments for the elderly have been lodged by developers.
McCarthy and Stone want to build a total of 58 apartments on a large plot of vacant land at the grounds of Tettenhall College on Tettenhall Wood.
Bosses of the school say the sale of the land will help them in their long-term efforts to invest in new buildings and facilities.
The new apartments will be based on land currently occupied by a car park. The flats will be for elderly residents who require a high level of on-site care.
The apartments, which would be staffed 24 hours a day, will also bring new jobs to the area with up to 17 new positions available should plans get given the green light.
The plans also include car parking and the creation of 'attractive' landscaped gardens.
The submitted plans come just weeks after McCarthy and Stone consulted with residents close to the school, including inviting them to a public exhibition in April, which was attended by 60 residents.
McCarthy and Stone, a leading developer of retirement apartments, claim the arrival of the new apartments would help the housing needs of Wolverhampton's elderly residents.
It says there are only 252 private specialist housing units in the city for purchase, as opposed to rent, to meet the requirements of the elderly population.
Developers also say the application comes at a time when Wolverhampton's elderly population is expected to increase by 38 per cent by 2035.
Darren Humphreys, regional managing director at McCarthy and Stone said the application helps fulfil demand for accommodation.
"We've strived to introduce a scheme that respects the local Conservation Area and increases the housing choice for residents in later life, particularly those residents who want to remain in a home of their own but require some additional care and support," he said.
"There is a strong and growing demand for Assisted Living accommodation and it is important that a community meets the housing need of all its residents."
The plans will be decided by Wolverhampton City Council's planning committee later this year.
More information on the plans can be seen by visiting www.mccarthyandstone-consultation.co.uk/woodroad.
