12:00pm Sunday 8th April 2012
By Freya Leng
WORRIED Moreton residents say the town would be in danger of becoming a ‘geriatric centre’ if major plans for a retirement home were approved.
About 100 residents attended a meeting where plans to build a 48-bed care home and 54 assisted living houses in Moreton were discussed and eventually thrown out by the town council.
Councillors unanimously rejected the proposals for the continuing care retirement development on Fosseway Farm, Stow Road, at an extraordinary council meeting at the Redesdale Hall.
The meeting held last Thursday saw residents turn up in their droves to voice their concerns over the plans, although a small number of people in attendance were in favour of the proposals.
The site is currently used as a caravan and camping park and is near to the new hospital and doctors’ surgeries.
Applicants Minton Health Care and Anchor have submitted the plans to Cotswold District Council which include provision for care and support teams to be on hand 24-hours a day.
Speaking at the meeting, long-time Moreton resident David Handy, said: “Is there a need for this complex? We have already got at least eight complexes for old people.
“We’re in real danger of turning Moreton into a geriatric centre. If you are going to allow building on green field land why don’t you build properties that youngsters can buy.”
Steve Farnsworth, who owns Grimes House Antiques, added that the development would attract people coming in to the area rather than be used by local people.
The proposed 54 assisted living houses would be a mixture of two bedroom dormer bungalows, three bedroom cottages and one and two bedroom apartments which could cost up to £300,000.
The developers have agreed money will be going back into the community from a section 106 agreement including £20,000 towards improving library facilities in Moreton.
Adam Simpkin, of Minton Health Care, said: “When we did the public exhibition 155 residents come out and supported the scheme. All I ask is please take the time to look in detail at the application.”
Chairman Rod Hooper said there were positives to the application but he was concerned over extra traffic and that the site was outside the development boundary.
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