A RURAL village in Ascot will see new retirement homes built despite concerns around “dangerous” parking.

Applicant McCarthy and Stone had its plans to erect 40 apartments for the over 60’s on a parcel of land, which Stone Court and Stone Court Cottage used to stand, in London Road, Sunningdale approved.

The flats will be a mix of one and two bedrooms, while other proposals include community facilities, a communal garden, and 36 car parking spaces – which includes three disabled bays.

However, Sunningdale Parish Council objected to the scheme, fearing the site will be overdeveloped and the building will be out of keeping with the ‘villas in a woodland setting’.

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In 2013, the site was previously granted permission to build a 61-bedroom care home but now the land will be redeveloped into a 40-bed later living home.

Speaking at a Windsor and Ascot development management panel, the agent Ian Han urged councillors to approve the scheme, citing this type of accommodation is “much needed” both nationally and locally as the over-60’s population continues to grow.

Despite being policy compliant, Clewer & Dedworth West representative Jon Davey (WWRA) criticised the number of car parking spaces and called 2004 policy “not fit for purpose”.

Where the Sunningdale retirement homes will be built

Where the Sunningdale retirement homes will be built

Cllr Julian Sharpe (Con: Ascot & Sunninghill) added: “There is a danger that cars from this development will park on the road, on the A30.

“Cars do park on the A30 in that area anyway so I think it will just increase the number of cars parked on the road.

“I think it is a danger for people who park their cars there and I think it’s quite likely there will be accidents down in that neck of the woods, but I think that just one of the things we’re going to have to manage going forwards.”

He also took issue with the lack of climate change technologies such as solar panels, fearing the plans, as well as others, may have to be retrofitted in the future.

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The chairman of the planning panel Cllr David Cannon (Con: Datchet, Horton & Wraysbury) confirmed highways have not objected to this scheme, adding: “We have to stick with the policies we’ve got.

“You may not like it but that’s our current policy.”

Planning officers, who recommended approval, said the plans include EV charging points and it seeks to reduce its carbon emissions by 22.96 per cent.

A majority of councillors voted for approval. Cllr Davey was the only member to vote against the scheme.

The meeting took place on Wednesday, October 6.