RESIDENTS, businesses and local councillors will have an opportunity to shape new homes for older people and improved community sports facilities in Alvechurch, as McCarthy & Stone holds a public exhibition to display its early proposals for land at Birmingham Road, Alvechurch.

McCarthy & Stone, a UK developer of retirement apartments, has been working with local stakeholders and met with a number of neighbouring residents to discuss its initial plans earlier in October 2014. The public exhibition marks the next stage of the community consultation.

It will be held on Thursday, November 6 at Alvechurch & Hopwood Cricket Club, to the rear of 6 Birmingham Road, Alvechurch B48 7TA from 3pm until 7pm.

McCarthy & Stone’s plans seek to redevelop this site with approximately 36 high-quality retirement living apartments and new homes, including bungalows, specifically designed to meet the needs of local people in later life, together with car parking and landscaped gardens.

The proposals would also provide new facilities for community sports use, a new pavilion for the cricket club and car parking to support the existing nearby sports fields on The Meadows.

A company spokesman said the number of people aged over 65 in the Bromsgrove district is predicted to rise by 67 per cent by 2035, demonstrating the need for specialist homes for local older people.

Darren Humphreys, regional managing director for the company, said: "The site presents a unique opportunity to deliver much-needed retirement housing for older people in Alvechurch and community sports facilities.

"We want to hear from the local community and our future homeowners before we submit a planning application. The comments we receive will help us tailor our proposal to deliver a scheme that provides both sports facilities and retirement housing that people will want to see, enjoy and call home.

"Increasing the housing choice for residents in later life also helps to release family-sized housing back into local markets, which helps stimulate the housing chain and enables young families and first time buyers to have a better opportunity within the housing market."

Residents who are unable to attend the public exhibition or would like further information can contact McCarthy & Stone project team on 0800 298 7040. Alternatively, information about the plans for Alvechurch can be found at mccarthyandstone-consultation.co.uk/alvechurch.