Disappointing but not surprising

WHILE there will be lots of disappointment in Lymm following the approval of new “prison block” retirement apartments on former Green Belt land in the village, it was hardly surprising to see the development allowed on appeal.

The fact the land had been taken out of the Local Plan for development and the fact planning officers were not objecting to the McCarthy & Stone proposal, gave the applicants a very strong argument for approval.

I suppose what is disappointing is that once voting to object to the proposal the Development Management Committee resolved not to provide evidence to defend the reason for refusal of the 45 retirement apartments. Where is the common sense and logic in that?
While it is always disappointing seeing development on green field sites, with Lymm almost constantly under pressure, it comes with a growing need.
While there is currently some retirement property available in the village, the growing elderly population will need this kind of accommodation in the not-too-distant future – and it is important that people who have lived in Lymm all their lives, have property available to them at an affordable price.
The more property available, the more likelihood it will be affordable.
What I would also say to developers is to try and come up with design schemes more in keeping with the local area – and hopefully the artist impressions of the proposal for Watercress farm will be better than the CGI we can see on the opposite page.
Looking at the image I can’t argue with the comments describing it as a “prison block” and I certainly wouldn’t want to spend my retirement years living in a building looking like that!