Retirement homes plan pulled

Plans to demolish a car dealership and build retirement homes next to the A414 have been withdrawn by a developer.

The plans would have seen the closure and demolition of the Gates Ford car dealership next to Gascoyne Way and the construction of 36 apartments.

A public consultation saw 59 objections lodged, including concerns raised by Hertford Civic Society and from residents of West Street. The Civic Society's comments focused on the scale and height of the buildings, describing them as "overbearing". Parking provision was also criticised, with 28 spaces being provided for 36 homes.

The scheme was the latest in a line of proposals for the site to have run in to the sand. A planning application for 27 homes was submitted and withdrawn in 2017, whilst an earlier 2016 application was refused by  the District Council's Development Control Committee, 

Developer Renaissance Homes and their architect David James claimed that the development caused no harm to the appearance or character of the area, or the amenities of the neighbouring residents, despite replacing a single storey car showroom with a three storey apartment block.