CONCERNS were raised over plans for a proposed retirement village in Warminster at a consultation on Tuesday (August 3).

Hundreds of residents turned up to the Civic Centre to see the plans for the ‘Continuing Care Retirement Community’, proposed by Ace Retirement Ltd, which will be built on land to the north of Grovelands Way if it is approved.

Developers plans for the complex which include a care home, bungalows and extra care apartments for people aged 55 and over as well as a convenience store, wildlife site, new play area and medical centre - but not everyone was convinced by the plans.

Paul Day, 55, of Minster View, said: “We do need more bungalows for the elderly but the traffic is already bad enough as it is on that side of the town without this.

“There would be staff and residents going to the complex all the time as well as lots of production vehicles when it’s in the process of being built.

“Flood water is the other issue as nobody seems to want to take responsibility for the stream which runs adjacent to Grovelands Way.

“We’ve had a small amount of rainfall in the last few days and even that has been enough to cause mini streams running down the pavements and roads.

“They have mentioned the convenience store as part of the plans but is that actually confirmed?"

However, Tanner and Tilley planning consultant John Montgomery believes the plans are robust and carefully thought through.

He said: “We have had discussions with the council already and they are supportive of the principal.

“There is a lack of housing for the elderly and we are confident that we can provide a very high service.

“People have raised concerns about drainage but we have specialists looking at the issue.”

The proposed site for the village does not fall within the site outlined for the West Warminster Urban Extension, but would instead join up with it.

Mayor Paul Macfarlane said: “On paper, the plans for the Proposed Continuing Care Retirement Community at Grovelands look fabulous.

“However, there are no real details to comment on. As with any development, questions need to be asked and answered about drainage and flooding, ecology as well as access and egress after and during the build.

“The quality of build also needs to be considered. Will it be energy efficient? Who will the main contractor be? Also, are all of our care facilities in Warminster full? Do we really need it?

“One thing for sure is that any building on this land will take away the last natural green land buffer between Grovelands and the West Urban Extension.”