Retirement village plans revised in Worcester

Revised plans have been put forward for a retirement village on the site of a former city school.

The changes to the plan by Enterprise Retirement Living (ERL) for the land off Battenhall Avenue in Worcester would see the number of ‘luxury’ retirement homes increased from 32 to 51.

Other adjustments include reducing the size of each home in the original plan, which ERL said it is doing to cut the purchase price for potential residents, as well as increase the number of one-bed homes and include private outdoor space for every unit.

The developer is currently asking the public for its views before it submits a new planning application Worcester City Council.

A spokesperson for ERL said: “Our revised plans would deliver 51 new homes on the site as part of the wider Mount Battenhall retirement living development which is being constructed on the other side of Battenall Avenue.

“The St Placides site already benefits from planning permission and we are seeking to improve the consent in place to better meet local demand and improve owners’ wellbeing.

“Our revised plans reduce the average size of the properties whilst ensuring each apartment benefits from private outdoor space and improve natural daylight.

“This will deliver a range of smaller, improved and more affordable apartments to meet local demand,

“Following our public consultation with the local community, which can be viewed at www.stplacides-consultation.co.uk, we will shortly be submitting a planning application to Worcester City Council, which will be determined in the coming months.

“We remain committed to working with local residents to deliver a sensitive redevelopment of this important site and would welcome any further feedback as the application progresses.”

ERL was given planning permission to create the 100-home retirement village Mount Battenhall at the site of St Mary’s Convent School in July 2017.

The site also has lounge and bar facilities, a restaurant, a library, a hair and beauty salon, gym and crafts room.

Mount Battenhall retirement village officially opened in July.

The grade II-listed building dates back to 1863 and was a former hospital before becoming a girls school.