Retirement housing company McCarthy Stone has presented plans to build 41 one and two-bedroom apartments at The Esplanade in Sheringham.
The apartments would all be designed to meet the needs of local older people who may be struggling to downsize, providing them with the opportunity to move into more suitable homes while staying close to family and friends.
McCarthy Stone says typically people would move from within a five-mile radius of its developments, meaning it would free up homes in Sheringham for families and first-time buyers to help ease north Norfolk’s housing crisis.
Older people moving into the apartments are expected to release at least 82 family-sized and starter homes back onto the local market.
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This is in line with the North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) Local Plan, which states there is a need for housing of this kind for older people in the district – as north Norfolk is the local authority area with the oldest population in the country.
The developer has also said the local economy would benefit, with people living in the homes proposed for the site being expected to spend a combined £308,000 each year at local businesses.
People living in the properties are also expected to have a reduced risk of health challenges, such as dementia, slips and falls.
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According to the developer, this could save social care services and the NHS £3,500 per year, per person – with the entire development potentially saving £181,000 per year.
A community consultation has begun to gather early feedback on the plans, which will be used to shape the developer’s planning application submission to NNDC.
The virtual consultation is open at mccarthystoneconsultation.co.uk/theesplanade until April 19, 2024.