The streetscape of Stockway South at Nailsea has some big changes around the corner with plans for new homes and maybe a supermarket.

Nearly 100 people went to a public exhibition at the Scotch Horn leisure this week to view proposals for a four-storey multi-million apartment block for the elderly on the site of the old police station.

While many liked the design of the 40 one- and two-bed apartments with balconies others feared the height of the building wasn’t in keeping with its environs.

Developer McCarthy & Stone has secured an option to buy the land-  subject to the necessary planning permissions - from Avon and Somerset Constabulary which put it up for sale with a price tag of more than £1 million.

But neighbourhood police officers who are expected to move into an expanded Scotch Horn have voiced privately they think it will be another two years before this happens.

The proposals for the ‘retirement living housing’ include a community living room, office for an on-site day manager, communal bins, single access onto Stockway South and provision for 30 car parking spaces.

Wrington accountant Peter and his wife Shelagh Spellissy, a retired dinner lady at St Francis RC Primary School, pictured top right, have lived directly behind the police station at Hillcrest Road for 38 years.

Peter said: “Our objection is the height of the building – we have no objection to having retirement homes built on the site.

“The trees are only in leaf for three to four months a year the rest of the time they are bare and for some neighbours the proposed balconies with have views looking straight into their gardens.”

And there is the small bother of back garden gates which for many years have been used as a shortcut to the shopping precint and therefore possibly establishing a public right of way. 

Shelagh said: “We were originally under the impression it was going to be two storey and now we are finding out it is going to be four storeys – however, there is a possibility we might like to move into one of the apartments at a later stage.”

Nailsea town councillor Ann Tonkin said: “I like the design which I think is good but I would have liked the land to have been used to build starter homes for young people.”

But fellow Nailsea town councillor Rod Lees asked if the house manager on site would have first aid training and worried that the response at night in an emergency could be limited.

The facade of the building will be in red and buff brick with timber-look fibreboard and construction time if planning permission is granted the build is estimated to take 12-13 months.

Nailsea town councillor Neil Middleton said: “Overall the design and layout of the site looks quite good given the constraints of the corner with roads all around and they have preserved the green against the roadside so it won’t impact too much on the visual aspects.

“The design as far as I can tell, not having seen the actual materials to be used, looks quite pleasant.

“Whether there is a need for yet more homes for the elderly in Nailsea as compared to younger people I am not entirely sure.”

“The height is below that of the Sion building opposite, it is very similar to the height of the existing building so I don’t think it will be too much of a problem.”

McCarthy and Stone regional managing director Shane Paull said: “The public exhibition was an excellent opportunity for us to understand the views of the local community.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank people for their constructive comments.

“We will be reviewing all the feedback received and will look to incorporate these into our proposals where possible.

“We have worked hard to ensure our proposals represent a sensitive redevelopment of the soon-to-be-vacant site, and one which complements the character of the local area.

“We believe this site is an ideal location to provide-much needed retirement accommodation in Nailsea close to existing shops and services.”

McCarthy & Stone’s research indicates that the existing population of over 65s in North Somerset is currently more than 42,600 – that is 21.03 per cent.

This is expected to grow to more than 78,000 by 2035.

In addition, there is insufficient specialist housing for people in later life, with only 1,318 units available to buy.

Mr Paull added:“There is clearly a local demand for Retirement Living apartments in Nailsea and this was made clear with a number of local residents already making initial sales enquiries at the exhibition, despite no marketing activities having taken place.”

For more information visit the project website by clicking HERE, call the freephone information line on 0800 298 7040 or emailfeedback@mccarthyandstone-consultation.co.uk.

Since 1977 McCarthy & Stone has 50,000 apartments across more than 1,000 locations.