PLANS to build a “flagship” retirement village comprising of 66 flats and 32 bungalows at the site of the Wimborne Market have been refused.

McCarthy & Stone planned to build the development which would also consist of nine open market houses, allotments, a coffee shop, shared lounge, bistro and a wellbeing and fitness hub.

However, planning officials have refused the plans because sufficient time was not allowed to determine if it met with the affordable housing policy adopted by Dorset Council, specifically the policy relating to vulnerable people.

Furthermore, the site lies within 5km on a site of specific scientific interest and the proposal failed to show avoidance measures, Dorset Council said.

Planning officials also found the proposals did not demonstrate that flood risk would not be increased if the plans were approved.

The plans were not without objections. Colehill Parish Council objected, stating the development had a lack of affordable housing, lack of SANG provision, insufficient parking provision and the traffic analysis was “insufficient”.

The parish council said: “Access and egress via Station Terrace and Market Way continue to be unacceptable and the feasibility of access to the site from the very congested Leigh Road via Grenville Road remains questionable, as the entrance to Grenville Road is often blocked by queuing traffic.”

Resident Dennis Frampton objected saying: “This plan is unacceptable to residents in Grenville Road.

“The traffic being one onto an already-busy main road. I gather a traffic check was done last November which is ridiculous when we were in a lockdown and traffic was low.

“There needs to be a lot more thought put into this project.”

Another resident, Mark Buckfield, said: “The proposed new entrance from Station Terrace is currently barely substantial for the level of traffic entering it for the existing housing.

“When a new development is built the infrastructure around it is carefully calculated and a road of these dimensions would not usually be acceptable.

“McCarthy & Stone are using the line that many of their residents will be over 70 and will not use their cars much but who is to say how often residents of any age will use their vehicles?

“In any case there would also be visitors, staff for the proposed facilities, carers, tradespeople, delivery drivers etc who would potentially be able to drive out of the development from Station Terrace as the current plans show.”

After plans were submitted to Dorset Council, divisional managing director at McCarthy & Stone Shane Paull said: “We have sought to respect the characteristics of the local area and the amenity of neighbouring properties when developing our design and landscaping proposals.

“If approved, our plans would deliver the sensitive regeneration of a brownfield site in a sustainable location with an exemplary continuing care community at the heart of Wimborne.”