CHELFORD is earmarked for a retirement village including a 60-bed care home and 86 assisted living apartments.

The development would also feature a tennis court, fishing/boating lake, Japanese water garden, secret/sensory garden, village green and woodland walkways.

Communal facilities would include a restaurant, bar, cafe, cinema, hairdressers, pool and gym, for use by residents, and the village centre would include a GP consultation room which could be accessed by residents in the local area.

The retirement village would be created on the site of Holly Tree House off Pepper Street by Chelford resident David Hughes, who is seeking approval for the scheme from Cheshire East Council.

Knutsford Guardian:

Holly Tree House and gardens

A report with the application said: “David Hughes has been a local resident for more than 35 years; originally living on the Dixon Drive estate when it was developed by Seddons prior to purchasing Stockin Moss on Pepper Street in 1994.

“He went on to redevelop the site into what is now known as Holly Tree House in 1997, which he made his family home through to 2015, when he moved next door.

“His estate extends to 76 acres of land and supports a plantation of 40,000 Christmas trees; with local farmers using other land for arable (potato, wheat and oat) crops and livestock grazing

Knutsford Guardian:

A plan of the village

“He considers himself a ‘local’, and has been active in the community; supporting and funding campaigns against local car boot operators, supporting special projects for the parish churches and even purchasing the former Mere Hills Farm on the A537 to protect the village from encroachment.

“David has forensically researched the care sector over the past few years and having now retired is passionate that Holly Tree House can be re-purposed in providing a unique care model that will deliver a host of sustainable community benefits.”

Knutsford Guardian:

An illustration of the development

The report said the scheme was a proposed integrated care village aimed at providing the ageing populations of Cheshire East with attractive options for senior living.

A new safe pedestrian footpath would be created on Pepper Street, running from the site to Chelford Road (A537), allowing residents to explore the nearby countryside more safely.

The scheme includes 165 parking spaces, and would create 25 full time and 35 part time jobs.

Comments on the scheme, reference 20/4976M, can be submitted on the Cheshire East Council planning portal until December 23.

Knutsford Guardian: Knutsford Guardian:

The proposed fishing lake