McCarthy Stone plans for 59 retirement homes in Stowmarket submitted to Mid Suffolk District Council

Plans to replace former truck dealers' buildings with 61 retirement homes have been submitted.

McCarthy Stone has submitted its bid to Mid Suffolk District Council to build 61 retirement living homes in Violet Hill Road, Stowmarket.

The construction would follow the demolition of the site's existing buildings, which belonged to the former TruckEast head office before the expanding business relocated to a new site in Bury St Edmunds in 2022.

If approved, a new three-storey building would accomodate 47 appartments and a further 14 two-bedroom bungalows.

The development would include a communal homeowners lounge, a guest suite, reception area, refuse storage, mobility scooter storeroom and communal gardens.

Planning documents submitted alongside the bid said the new homes were needed to address an 'under-served demographic' predicted to grow significantly in the future.

A planning statement said: "Retirement living accommodation is an attractive option for older people who want to move into accommodation that provides comfort, security and the ability to maintain their independence.

"While Mid Suffolk District Council recognises the rapidly growing demographic of society and their housing needs, delivery and planning of specialist homes for older people has been limited."

The units would be sold on a long lease with a requirement for occupation for those over the age of 60 — in the case of a couple, one occupant would be over 60-years-old while their partner would need to be aged over 55.

McCarthy Stone said the plans would bring £350,000 to Stowmarket's high street every year, create 85 construction jobs and around six permanent roles, while bringing a contaminated and vacant brownfield back into productive use.

A decision deadline for the plans has been set for July 10.