Residents concerned about ambitious multi-million pound retirement village plans for Thurlaston

Plans for a new multi-million pound retirement village in Thurlaston look set to be refused at Rugby Borough Council’s planning committee next week.

A decision will be made about the plans at Thurlaston Meadows on October 11.

The application is for 33 zero carbon bungalows along with community facilities of tennis courts, shop/community hub and a wellness facility with gym, hydrotherapy pool and a creche.

Members of Thurlaston Parish Council, along with a large number of people living in the village, have raised concerns about the environmental impact and road safety issues, such as increased noise and traffic.

One mum, who asked not to be named, said: “I understand that businesses have to expand and diversify, and Lime Tree village has proved an extremely popular model, but I worry that the infrastructure isn’t anywhere near in place for this proposal.

“It will mean extra traffic for the narrow roads as there are no amenities or facilities in Thurlaston (such as shops, pub, corner shop) for people to walk to and it’s not on a major bus route, which means they all need to have cars. That’s ignoring access for the construction traffic for such a large development.”

She said people were also worried about losing green spaces.

“I find it extremely sad to be losing more beautiful green spaces that are regularly used as a public footpath for walkers, dog walking and general adventuring by my children. But it seems the decision has already been decided – as planning always seems to be.”

Ian Gidley, director of Land & Planning Consultants, the agent on the scheme, said the development, if it went ahead, ‘should encourage wildlife’.

He said: “This could be a blueprint for future eco homes in the borough and is one of the most sustainable developments that I have ever worked on during my 30 year career.”

He said residents of the new homes must be age 65+ and will only be allowed one electric vehicle per dwelling.