THE green light has been given to a development of retirement flats that will transform a prominent area of Broadstone.

McCarthy and Stone has been granted planning permission by Borough of Poole to demolish buildings at 2-14 Dunyeats Road and build 36 retirement apartments.

There will also be three ground floor retail units, one of which will be a post office.

The development fronting the roundabout was revised by the Bournemouth-based company after consultation with residents.

A much-used footpath between Macaulay Road and Dunyeats Road was reprieved after the company took notice of comments on the council’s planning website and decided to reinstate it.

“From the outset we have been committed to delivering the right development for this site and have continued to amend the scheme in response to the community’s feedback,” said Shane Paull, McCarthy and Stone’s regional managing director.

“We are delighted with this result and are pleased that the hard work to address previous concerns raised, by making significant amendments to our plans, was recognised.

“At the heart of the proposals has been the creation of the right design for Broadstone. We can now proceed to regenerate this brownfield site with the much-needed accommodation for local older people and new retail space,” he said.

The planning committee heard there were 14 representations from people supporting the application and 89 letters of objection along with a 270-strong petition.

Broadstone Neighbourhood Forum also registered an objection including overdevelopment of the site, out of character, loss of open space and the impact on traffic congestion.

The company says the apartment will allow people in later life to retain their independence, close to family and friends, in a safe and enjoyable enviroment suited specifically to their needs.