APPROVAL has been given to build 57 luxury apartments for elderly people in Wilmslow.

Approval was given by Cheshire East Planning committee last week for the private apartments, which will be built once two former council building have been demolished off Chapel Lane.

The plan was previously given a green light by Wilmslow Town Council, but not before it raised concerns as to the aesthetics in terms of the overall height and design of the accommodation.

After discussion last week, the revised plans, which reduced the height of the building by 3.4 metres from 19.7 metres to 16.3 metres, were approved.

Under the terms of the planning approval, an S106 agreement requires the developer, PegasusLife to cough up a further £81,750, to enhance public open space at Gravel Lane, Lindow Common, Carnival Fields, The Carrs and allotments within Wilmslow.

Classed as 'assisted living apartments', there will be a total of 59 parking spaces, with communal and wellbeing facilities, such as owner's lounge, dining room, library, wellness suite, which include hydrotherapy, gym, treatment room and lounge, salon, care office, physiotherapy room, sauna, steam room and changing rooms and toilets.

A guest accommodation suite is provided to facilitate for visitors to residents to stay overnight. All apartments are designed to be wheelchair-friendly, Additionally all assisted living apartments within this scheme are designed to quality housing standards.

PegasusLife says it will create a high quality environment for the benefit of residents which will encourage them to spend more time outside socialising, gardening and enjoying all the benefits

flowing from that

Cllr Rod Menlove said: "It should be noted that 26 per cent of our residents are aged 65+ so this is a much needed development that also has the potential to free up housing stock locally.

"I raised concerns around two road safety issues. The first was the poor visibility exiting in to Beddells Lane, that could be resolved by less on road parking near the exit.

"The second was the need to upgrade the visibility of the nearby pedestrian crossing with LED lighting to both the traffic lights and the columns.

"These were agreed with funding to come from the S106 monies."