Developer McCarthy & Stone proposes to build 49 retirement apartments, with access to a shared homeowners’ lounge and landscaped gardens, on land to the west of the fire station on Craigdhu Road.

The site forms part of a larger five acre site that has been identified as suitable for housing in the local development plan.

The development will be overseen by a house manager and security features, include a link to a 24 hour emergency call service.

A smaller block of 12 affordable housing apartments, for people over 55, is being proposed to be built on the same site by Sanctuary Housing.

Steve Wiseman of McCarthy and Stone said: “We believe this site is an ideal location for retirement housing which will help bring much needed older people’s housing to the area as well as help invest in the local economy.

“McCarthy and Stone is committed to consulting with the local community and we would like to thank everyone who attended the consultation event and gave us their views.

“We have aimed to address comments raised at the consultation where possible and have made some changes to the proposal as a direct result of feedback.”

The builder says its retirement living developments have proven to have a number of wider community benefits as residents use local services and tend to downsize from under occupied, large family homes releasing them for sale.

The planning application is likely to be considered by the council in spring next year.