A development company has applied to flatten three large homes and rebuild a care home in their space.

McCarthy & Stone developers and residential community managers have applied to demolish the homes and replace them with a retirement home near Wokingham train station.

The three homes are numbers 54-58 in Reading Road. McCarthy & Stone want to build 34 apartments within a three-storey block in their place.

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The apartments would be divided into 16 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom apartments for retirees.

The upper floors would be accessible with a lift, and the roof would have capacity to install solar panels in the future.

The plan has proven uncontroversial. Although the scale of the care home could impact St Paul's Church, which is a Grade II listed building, the Reverend of the church, Richard Lamey, wrote that he has "no fundamental concerns" and was "pleased with the efforts made by the developers to engage with the Church." He went on to say that he is seeking to work closely with builders to mitigate the impact of the building work on the church.

Councillor Rachel Bishop-Firth (Liberal Democrat) said: "I am supportive of smaller homes being built to meet the needs of our older residents so I'm pleased to see this plan." However, she did express concern over car access to Reading Road - which the site would be entered and exited from. The care home would have 32 car parking spaces.

The plan has been recommended for approval by council officer Graham Vaughan. It will be decided on by Wokingham Borough Council's planning committee from 7pm today (Wednesday, June 9).

None of the homes involved in the plans have been sold ahead of their demolition, according to Land Registry data. 54 Reading Road was sold for £360,000 in 2007, 56 was sold for £610,000 in 2008, and 58 was sold for £3000 in 2000.

Bracknell News: 54-58 Reading Road, Wokingham. Credit: Google Maps

McCarthy & Stone currently has locations in Crowthorne, Maidenhead, Thatcham and Twyford.

It recently applied to sell alcohol at the restaurant and bistro at its residential apartments in Birch Place, Crowthorne.

If successful, staff at the restaurant will be able to serve retirees alcoholic drinks until 11pm.