ONE YEAR after initially consulting Bourne Town Council and local residents on its proposals, Longhurst Group has now submitted a planning application for a retirement development at The Croft in North Road, Bourne, costing £8 million.

Alan Whyte, partnerships director for Longhurst Group, said: "We know from the feedback we have received that there is a widespread view that the time has come to rescue this important landmark in the town.”

The proposed development will provide much needed retirement housing in Bourne as more and more people are living longer and want the added security.

Major features of the scheme will be the restoration of the house itself and the magnificent driveway that will be landscaped and returned to its former glory. The Victorian lamp standards that were once on the railway station at Bourne will also be restored. Landscaping with open grass, trees and shrubs will be a major ingredient in providing a highly attractive setting for the proposed 68 bungalows which will be entirely appropriate to this part of Lincolnshire while the house itself will be restored at a cost of £200,000 for use as a community area, manager's office and kitchen.

“We have listened to the local people and are putting forward plans which incorporate these views", said Mr Whyte.

Traffic congestion has been one of the main concerns for residents. The design now prevents any through traffic or so called rat runs, thus limiting the impact on the neighbours with access through North Road, Charles Close and Maple Gardens. Longhurst Group’s experience on similar retirement developments in the Midlands is that less than one third of residents retain ownership of a car. The majority opt for electric scooters, taxis or car sharing.

Residents have also been concerned about intrusion or overlooking and the great majority of properties on the development will be single storey or dormer bungalows, which will ensure privacy.

Over 65 local people attended an open day held at the Angel Hotel in Bourne last year. Draft plans for the development were on show and residents were able to talk at length with representatives from Longhurst Group.

The company is a well known developer of high quality retirement housing and affordable homes based in Lincolnshire and with other developments in the Bourne and South Kesteven area. Longhurst manages around 1,000 leasehold retirement properties across the Midlands and has a reputation for caring for its residents.

THE CROFT DEVELOPMENT - A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Photograph courtesy Longhurst Group

The Croft will be returned to its former glory providing a range of facilities for residents and local groups to meet. Development plans feature large amounts of green open space and the proposed homes will include private enclosed courtyards providing a high degree of security.

Photograph courtesy Longhurst Group

COMPANY PROFILE

Longhurst Group is the 13th largest company in Lincolnshire, based on annual turnover.
Today Longhurst Group comprises of 5 member companies:
* Longhurst Homes based in Boston, Lincoln and Nottingham
* Spire Homes, based in Rushden, Northamptonshire
* Havelok Homes, based in Grimsby
*Friendship Care and Housing based in Birmingham and Nottingham
*Keystone Developments, based in Boston

Longhurst Group core areas of business comprises
* Housing management and is an established regional social landlord and property developer, specialising in the provision of low cost, high quality homes for rent or private ownership. The group has a combined stock of approx 15,000 homes.
* Care and support services - Longhurst Group prides itself on the provision of a wide range of care and support services tailored to meet the varied needs of people with special needs.
* Joint ventures and partnerships - Longhurst Group is the leading affordable housing development partnership in the East Midlands.
Working with smaller housing associations to deliver innovative growth strategies, to date Longhurst Group have 16 partners and most notably have joined forces with Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA), in order to assist with the development ambitions of both organisations.
* Longhurst Group has been developing affordable homes for the last 20 years and enjoyed investment partner status with the Homes and Communities Agency since 2004.