PLANNING chiefs are studying new proposals to build a major housing development in the centre of a New Forest town.

Renaissance Retirement has launched a second attempt to secure consent to build dozens of sheltered flats for the elderly on a site at Stanford Hill, Lymington.

If the scheme is approved 15 one-bedroom flats and 29 two-bedroom apartments will be built beside Bucklers Mews.

As reported in the Daily Echo, a previous plan for 45 flats on the site was rejected by New Forest District Council six months ago.

The multi-million-pound scheme had been opposed by the town council and the Lymington Society.

People living near the site also lodged objections. They criticised the scale and potential impact of the proposed development, claiming it would create extra traffic problems in the area as well as putting additional pressure on services used by the elderly.

Now Renaissance has submitted a revised scheme for 44 flats - one less than before.

The application also lists other alterations including an improved access, extra parking and a reduction in the height of part of the complex. It adds: “The emerging Local Plan acknowledges that the population of the plan area is ageing and living longer, with the number of people aged 75 and over projected to increase by 65 per cent (12,800) in the plan period.

“There is an extensive demand for specialised older people’s accommodation.”

The application says the new design aims to reduce the impact of the proposed development by removing the upper levels in the north-eastern corner.

It adds: “The massing and scale of the building as viewed from Bucklers Mews is significantly reduced.”

A Renaissance spokesman said: “Shortly before we submitted our revised plans the council’s cabinet approved the latest planning blueprint for the area, which highlights a significant need for specialist older people’s accommodation. Our amended application, which seeks to address the earlier refusal reasons, gives the council another chance to see an element of this much-needed accommodation secured for the future.We’re hopeful the council also recognises the real social and economic benefits that the type housing we’re looking to build here delivers.“We know that for every individual that moves into such a scheme, NHS budgets are saved £3,500 each year as a result of improved health and wellbeing.

“On top of this, local housing markets are helped as our schemes see existing homes freed up with further moves then triggered.”