A PROPOSAL to demolish a police station and build 32 retirement flats has been handed to planners.

The scheme for the 68-year-old Lymington Police Station site in Southampton Road includes car parking and landscaping, as well as communal facilities.

The development by Churchill Retirement would be a mixture of 21 one-bedroom apartments and 11 two-bedroom apartments.

The police station closed in October 2020 after being branded out-dated and no longer fit for purpose, with officers moving to the town hall.

Officers transferred to the town hall in nearby Avenue Road.

In a statement as part of the application to New Forest District Council, agent, Planning Issues Ltd, said: “It is acknowledged that there is a ‘critical’’ need for the delivery of older people housing in the country and a significant pressing need within the administrative boundary of the council.

“This planning application proposal will contribute towards delivering these much needed homes, including older people housing.”

The communal facilities include a lodge manager, video entry system, owners lobby and lounge, landscaped garden, guest suite and area for housing and charging buggies.

The planning statement adds the police station could not easily be turned into office use, as it was purpose built as a police station.

Concerns were previously raised last year, by the Lymington Society, who are worried about overdevelopment.

During the online consultation last year, issues raised included traffic, housing for younger people needed, character of the area with most buildings two storeys or less and the lack of affordable housing.