Retirement home plans ‘win community backing’

THE developer behind a proposed specialist retirement development in Portobello says it has received support for the plans from local people.

McCarthy & Stone wants to redevelop the site of the former Royal British Legion Club in Baileyfield Road, creating 49 private retirement apartments.

The firm said that 96 per cent of people who attended a recent meeting and exhibition were supportive of the development.

Managing director Stephen Wiseman said: “It’s always extremely valuable to speak first hand to people in the local community and to get their feedback.

“We have already amended our plans as a result of community feedback by retaining additional trees at the front of the site.

“We are still in the early stages of the proposal, which is subject to planning permission being granted.

“The feedback from the consultation will help us to inform the detailed design for the proposed development and will also support our planning application.”

The proposed development will see the existing buildings on the site removed and replaced.