30 april 2015 oxfordshire guardian wantage

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A PROPOSAL to develop Wantage’s old police station and magistrates’ court into retirement flats has been criticised, with a lack of parking spaces for residents one of the main concerns. Renaissance Retirement Group wants to turn the buildings in Church Street into 32 apartments with 50 bedrooms, for elderly people. But only 15 parking spaces have been included in the plans – equating to less than one space per two flats. And Wantage’s mayor Fiona Roper

Julie Mabberley, from the Wantage and Grove Campaign Group, echoed Cllr Roper’s concerns. She added: “Originally there were only 11 parking spaces so they’ve managed to squeeze another four in from somewhere, but it’s nowhere near enough. “They reckon that people over 70 don’t drive – I think they’ve got their age range wrong because people over 70 around here do drive because it’s the only way to get anywhere.�

By Adam Flinn

adam@taylornewspapers.co.uk

has described the parking provision as “bizarre�. She said: “I don’t see why elderly people aren’t allowed to drive. “My 85-year-old mother drives everywhere, and obviously when people come to visit their relatives they need to park somewhere, so I think it’s a very strange policy.�

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Both also agreed that they would prefer to see the land used for retail, as they thought the town does not need any more retirement homes. But Renaissance Retirement defended their plans, saying that no retail companies came forward to redevelop the site while it was on the market. They added they would have a pool car on offer that residents would be insured to use and could book, in the hope that many would give up their cars. Robert Taylor, managing director

of Renaissance Retirement, said: “From our public consultation we have increased our proposed parking allocation to nearly one parking space for every two apartments. “This is an increase from our normal parking standard of 1:3. “Being so close to the town centre and the local amenities, we anticipate that a good number of our owners will give up their cars too – this has been seen at our other developments.â€? • Continues on page 3

• An artist’s impression of the retirement fl ats on the site of the old police station and magistrates’ court

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