AN UNUSED tennis court near a town centre could be redeveloped into 44 retirement homes if councillors give the go-ahead this week.

Developer Lifestory is to have its scheme determined by members sitting on the Maidenhead development management panel on Wednesday, August 17.

Its plans involve two building blocks up to four-storeys in height on land between Gringer Hill and Hargrave Road, Maidenhead, to hold 44 apartments for residents over the age of 60.

The housing mix includes 11 one-beds and 33 two-beds with one guest suite on the third floor. The site will also provide 32 car parking spaces, three disabled bays, electric vehicle charging facilities, four buggy spaces, and four cycle bays.

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The proposal also includes several communal facilities, including a resident’s lounge, a club room, and communal amenity spaces.

The site, which currently holds an unused tennis court and a grassed area that is not open to the public, could also see new vehicular access to Gringer Hill and a pedestrian gated access to Hargrave Road.

Fourteen residents objected to the scheme, believing the site should be used for family housing, and raised concerns about the building’s height which could overlook their properties. They also feared it would represent an overdevelopment of the site, impacting the character of the area and the extra cars will add extra pressure to the roads.

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But planning officers believe the design of the scheme and the other aspects of the plans are acceptable. They also think the 44 retirement homes will contribute to the council’s five-year housing land supply.

They, therefore, recommended for panel members approve the scheme subject to the developer contributing funds to offset carbon emissions.