Planning permission granted on appeal for Lifestory Group retirement living development in Lymington

Date: 8 June 2021

Following a two week planning inquiry in May 2021, the Planning Inspectorate (Inspector Gareth Fort) has allowed an appeal by Renaissance Retirement Ltd, part of the Lifestory Group, against New Forest District Council’s refusal of planning permission for a 44-apartment sheltered housing retirement development in Lymington.

Accepting the entirety of Renaissance’s case on all the controversial issues, the Inspector found that the Council’s objections to the proposal on heritage, design and townscape grounds were without merit. He also accepted Renaissance’s submissions as to the extent of the Council’s deliverable housing land supply (2.5 years) and as to the extent of the need for sheltered housing in the District (in absolute terms and relative to other kinds of specialist housing). The Inspector’s findings on these issues, as well as on other benefits of the proposal (including the economic and social benefits of sheltered housing and the weight to be given to Biodiversity Net Gain) are of wider application and will be welcome reading for the promoters of specialist older persons’ accommodation.

The decision can be downloaded here.

Charles Banner QC acted for the successful Appellant, Renaissance, calling 7 expert witnesses, instructed by CMS.