Retirement complex gets planning permission

An apartment block for over-55s, which will entail the demolition of a children's play area in Coalville, has been approved by planning chiefs.

Developers Trent and Dove had applied to create 77 apartments just off Baker Street and a new access road from Linden Way.

This road will cut through Coalville Forest Adventure Park and require the removal of an existing children's play area.

North West Leicestershire District Council imposed conditions that the developers install a replacement play area within the park and buy off-site biodiversity credits to compensate for the destroyed woodland.

The developer also highlighted the new road would allow for future development on council-owned sites in that area, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A single objection to the plan, over the loss of green land, was filed by a member of the public but this was rejected by the council.

The original scheme included 52 parking spaces but this has been cut to 48 spaces, leading county council highways officers to raise concerns about "overspill" parking in surrounding areas and streets.

As a result, the district council has imposed a strict condition that residents must be aged 55 or over.

The 77 apartments will be made up of 28 one-bedroomed and 49 two-bedroomed apartments, while two guest suites would also be built.

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