Exciting plans for new retirement apartments in Chesterfield were welcomed by local MP, Toby Perkins, when he visited the public exhibition of the proposed development.

The proposals for the site of the former headquarters of North East Derbyshire District Council off Saltergate would create 64 apartments over four storeys, landscaped gardens with tailored community facilities including a restaurant, laundrette and lounge.

Toby attended a public exhibition of the plans and spoke to the developers, McCarthy and Stone, about the proposals and the benefits it could bring to the community.

Toby said, “I have been very concerned about what would happen to the former NDCC offices and worried that the building would lie empty for years. These proposals would involve a revamp of the entire site, with a modern retirement complex created, providing much needed homes for older people in a central location. This complex, if it gets approval, would hopefully encourage retired homeowners to move here and free up much-needed family homes in the area.”

McCarthy and Stone are the UK’s leading builder of retirement communities and have been meeting with local residents, businesses and stakeholders to discuss the proposals. Ian Wilkins, Regional Managing Director at McCarthy & Stone said “We are delighted to have unveiled our plans to the local community in Chesterfield, and to have our designs so warmly received. With the number of older people in Chesterfield due to increase by 20% in the next two decades, there is no doubt that this type of specialist retirement accommodation will be essential in the town centre. We are grateful to those that took part in the consultation, and have carefully reviewed the feedback before submitting our plans to Chesterfield Borough Council.”

Toby added, “These proposals once again show that developers have a real confidence in building in Chesterfield. The Labour-run Borough Council are doing all they can to attract developers to the area and create the new homes we desperately need.”