Hassocks: Plans for new apartments to go ahead after appeal

Churchill Living has been granted planning permission for the independent living retirement apartments at a site in Keymer Road in Hassocks.

The apartments will provide “high quality, secure and self-contained accommodation designed to enable independence, freedom and low maintenance living for over 60s”.

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The planning application was first submitted on December 5, 2023, and was rejected for not being in keeping with the character and appearance of the area. There were also concerns about the potential increase in noise.

But in the appeal decision on November 8, planning inspector John Dowsett dismissed objections to the plans, saying the need to provide housing for older people is critical and that there is a significant shortfall in the provision of this type of housing in the area.

The apartments will provide high quality, secure and self-contained accommodation (Image: Churchill Living) Redevelopment of this site will reportedly contribute around £318,000 a year to the local economy and support five permanent jobs.

The scheme includes a communal lounge, a guest suite, a lodge manager, and a 24-hour emergency call alarm service.

A spokesman for Churchill Living said: “This is a very positive result and we will now look forward to starting work on this new development in Hassocks.

“Delivering new homes in this previously developed central location will help to reduce the need for greenfield development to meet the urgent demand for new homes locally. By giving older people in and around Hassocks the option to downsize, it will also help release many larger, second-hand properties back onto the market for local families to move into, also creating opportunities for local first-time buyers to get onto the ladder.”

Churchill said the proposed development will help to save approximately £186,000 each year for local health and social care services by providing older people with a healthier, safer and more independent lifestyle.