McCarthy and Stone has pressed ahead with plans to build more than 50 new retirement flats in Ely.

The company has applied to East Cambridgeshire District Council to redevelop the G&J Peck site, in Lisle Lane, into 57 “assisted living apartments”, together with car parking and communal facilities, including a fully serviced restaurant and gardens.

McCarthy says the development would be staffed 24hours a day, and will create about 17 new jobs.

Prior to submitting the plans, the company carried out a public consultation event, which, it said, was attended by nearly 100 local residents.

The company said that 91 per cent of the feedback it received about the proposal was in support of the site’s redevelopment.

Lisle Lane is already home to a development of sheltered housing, with a number of apartments and houses in nearby Belt Holt.

G&J Peck, the site’s current occupiers, will relocate to a new purpose built premises on the Lancaster Way Business Park, in Witchford.

Darren Humphreys, from McCarthy and Stone, said: “We are very encouraged by the high level of local support we have received about our plans to date.

“Our plans have been carefully considered to ensure they respect Ely’s unique character, whilst increasing the housing choice for residents in later life.

“There is a strong and growing demand for assisted living accommodation and it is important that a community meets the housing need of all its residents.”

News of the planning applicaton comes just 18 months after McCarthy saw plans for 20 retirement flats in Cambridge Road, Ely, turned down following a lengthy battle with neighbours.

For more information about the proposal, visit www.mccarthyandstone-consultation.co.uk/lislelane or contact the project’s freephone information line on 0800 298 7040.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Send your thoughts to daniel.mansfield@archant.co.uk or write to Ely Standard, Alexander House, Fore Hill, Ely, CB7 4AF.