A DEVELOPER has accused critics of adopting a “negative and ageist” attitude to plans to replace a Hampshire police station with 32 retirement apartments.

Churchill Retirement Living said the proposed development would boost the local economy by £1.3m, support 57 jobs and allow older people to downsize - freeing up under-occupied homes in a move that would help first-time buyers.

Churchill’s application to redevelop a site at Southampton Road, Lymington, has sparked a flurry of objections, including one from the Lymington Society.

Protesters say the area already has too many homes for older residents and needs to build more properties for young people.

But Gary Day, Churchill’s land, design & planning director, said: “The number of Lymington residents aged 75 and over is projected to increase by 65% by 2030, and almost half the local population is projected to be aged 55 and over by 2036.

“Lymington and the local area already has the fourth highest percentage of over-65s in the country.

“We need to do much more to meet the future needs of our older generation and recognise the many benefits of retirement housing, rather than adopting a negative and frankly ageist attitude towards new development of this kind.”

Mr Day said the scheme would boost the local economy by £1.3m as its central location would encourage residents to shop locally.

He added that the proposed development would also support around 57 local jobs, both during and after construction, as well as allowing older people to downsize, thus releasing under-occupied houses for families.

The changes would help around 20 first-time buyers get on to the property ladder.

“Each person living in a retirement property typically experiences reduced health risks, contributing to savings of £3,500 per person per year,” added Mr Day.

“The development would therefore create total health and social care savings of around £147,000 per year.”

Mr Day said the number of retirement properties currently on sale was largely a reflection of the pandemic. Older people worried about catching the virus were taking time to move to a home that better suited their needs, resulting in pent-up demand for retirement housing.

“The rate of infections among Churchill owners has remained less than a third of that seen across the wider UK population.”