A COMPANY that once worked for Prince Charles has revealed its latest multi-million-pound plan to transform a town centre site in Hampshire.

Renaissance Retirement has applied for consent to replace the former bus station in Lymington High Street with a shop and 18 sheltered flats for the elderly.

The Ringwood-based company has submitted its proposals to New Forest District Council, which is due to make a decision by September.

An earlier version of the £10 million plan to redevelop the site was unveiled earlier this year.

A Renaissance Retirement spokesman said the revised scheme followed a public exhibition held in March and pre-application talks with council planning officers.

He added: "Following a review of its strategic bus services the site owners, Go Ahead plc, identified the old bus station site as being surplus to requirements.

"In 2013 they commenced marketing of the site with significant interest being received from a number of residential developers.

"The lack of interest in the site from retail or commercial operators has been put down to the site’s limited High Street frontage."

Renaissance Retirement’s associate director of planning, Simon McFarlane, added: “Our proposal will provide retirement housing within the heart of Lymington town centre, delivering accommodation specially designed to serve the needs of local elderly people."

Mr McFarlane said people living in the proposed new flats would contribute to the vitality and economic viability of the main shopping area.

He added that the scheme would enable elderly people living in large, under-occupied properties to downsize, releasing homes that were more suitable for families.

"We've taken on-board much of the valuable feedback we received from people who attended the public exhibition," said Mr McFarlane.

"The majority of neighbouring residents welcomed the proposal to redevelop the bus depot site, which for many years had resulted in problems involving noise, fumes and floodlighting.

"Careful attention has been taken to ensure there will be no adverse impacts upon the amenities of these neighbouring residents.

“We have sought to vary the height of the proposed buildings so that they mirror the variety of two and three-storey buildings within this part of the town centre."

Renaissance was founded in 1997 with the aim of providing luxury retirement developments across the south.

It was chosen by Prince Charles to build the first ever retirement properties in Poundbury, his experimental new town on the outskirts of Dorchester.