Plans for 50 Arundel apartments unveiled

The plans would see an existing industrial site and vacant neighbouring property in Fitzaland Road demolished to make room for accommodation for the elderly.

Artist impressions of what the development could look like as well as information were displayed at the Norfolk Arms Hotel in Arundel this afternoon.

Retirement homes specialist Renaissance Retirement limited is seeking to build up to 50 sheltered apartments for elderly people on the land.

The site has previously been identified by Arundel Town Council for possible future development in the town’s Neighbourhood Plan.

Peter Tanner, planning director for Renaissance Retirement, said: “From our research we have indentified that the significant growth in the elderly population projected over the next ten to 20 years clearly demonstrates a need for specialist accommodation to meet the needs of the local elderly population.

“One of the significant advantages of this form of development is that older people downsizing into special accommodation for the elderly releases under-occupied family houses back into the market.”

However concerns were raised at the meeting that the need for more affordable housing for young people is greater than the need for sheltered housing.

More on the plans will be on the Littlehampton Gazette website next week.