Plans approved for retirement village and care home in Newton Mearns

East Renfrewshire’s authority has ruled an 80-bed care home, 38 houses and 214 flats can be built on land at at Netherplace Works, Netherplace Road.

Developer Newton Mearns Project Ltd is also planning to deliver a bowling green with a pavilion and a ‘village centre’ with leisure and recreational uses, including a fitness suite.

A council report reveals the plans include a restaurant, bar, shop, meetings rooms, management offices and a library as well as two ‘hotel-style’ rooms for visitors or staff.

Anyone purchasing an apartment in the village will need to be at least 55-years-old.

The site was identified in the council’s local plan for business or industrial purposes, with a residential development seen as a “significant departure”.

However, the council’s decision stated the project is considered a “justifiable” departure to the development plan.

The council report states: “The retirement village concept is relatively unique in the Scottish context and this would be the first of its kind in East Renfrewshire.

“The applicant has indicated there are examples of operational models of this type most notably in America and also in England and are a response to the limitations of traditional models of sheltered housing which are unable to provide the flexibility of care and support some older people need and which do not satisfy the diversity of housing need in later life.

“The retirement village is intended to be a place to secure a lifestyle where residents have access to a range of accommodation, healthcare, leisure and other facilities, in a safe and secure environment specifically designed for an ageing population and their needs collectively and individually.”

The village will be ran by a management company “to address the day to day and other needs of the retirement village and its residents”.

“A monthly charge would be paid by residents for the maintenance of the external environment and shared facilities,” the report adds.

A new access road to the site, from Aurs Road, will be formed as part of the development.

Crookfur, Greenfarm and Mearns Village Community Council had opposed the plans, raising issues such as insufficient parking and a lack of public transport.

Representations were submitted by 15 people and concerns included the impact on privacy as well as light and noise pollution.

Some believe the development isn’t required as there are “suitable properties for the elderly in the area”.