More flats at retirement village would ‘spoil’ view for neighbouring homes

A plan to add more flats to a retirement village near Henley has been refused due to fears of overlooking and the potential for them to “spoil” views for residents.

Thamesfield is an integrated retirement company situated on the bank of the River Thames, off Wargrave Road, Henley.

Retirement Villages Group, which owns Thamesfield, wanted to add 15 two-bed and two one-bed apartments by adding a three-storey extension.

But the project faced opposition due to the scale of the proposed building, which was brought up at a planning meeting of Wokingham Borough Council, the planning authority.

Speaking on behalf of residents, Andy Meader said: “Privacy quite clearly can’t be maintained if overlooked by a three-storey development.

“Thamesfield residents will also be significantly harmed, an enclosed walkway will be removed, so some apartments will have less accessibility to the communal facilities exactly what should be avoided for such accommodation.

“A balance does indeed have to be made but the substantial harm caused to residential amenity as a result of the poor design alongside other concerns raised does significantly outweigh the benefits here.”

Councillor Katrin Harding (Liberal Democrats, Thames) added: “I recognise the need for this type of accommodation in the borough and we’re not disputing the principle of development on the site.

“However, the scheme before us is of an inappropriate size and design, causing unjustified harm both to neighbouring amenity, particularly for residents of Remnant Row and to the heritage value of the area.”

Jane Harrison, a planning agent from Stantec supporting the developer, said: “Retirement communities have numerous benefits, enabling people to retain agency over their own lives while being part of an active social community with access to the support and care they need as they age.

“They have been shown to reduce the number and length of hospital stays. They are an answer to loneliness and isolation.

“They facilitate better use of housing stock by enabling people to downsize, freeing up family homes.

“The proposal replaces an existing single-storey extension, which is an inefficient use of the land and provides an opportunity to address the demonstrable growing need for supported independent living for older people.

“This proposal is the next step in securing the investment needed to safeguard the long-term viability of the Thamesfield community.

“The proposal and associated increase in residents will enable [the company] to reduce individual service charges, ensuring that Thamesfield is more affordable for its community long term.”

Councillor Sam Akhtar (Conservative, Thames) proposed rejecting the project, which was passed with five councillors voting against it and two abstentions.

Henley Town Council had also recommended that the application be refused with councillors describing the scheme as “badly designed”.