New plans have been submitted for a retirement complex in Crewe to replace a facility gutted by fire nearly seven years ago.

About 150 elderly and disabled residents were evacuated from Beechmere Extra Care when fire ripped through the timber-framed building on Rolls Avenue in August 2019.

Planning permission was secured for a replacement 132-apartment extra care building on the site the following year, but it was never built.

This latest proposal is for a smaller facility containing 75 one and two-bed apartments.

The planning application submitted to Cheshire East Council includes a 30-page fire strategy and states sprinklers will be installed throughout the building.

About 150 elderly and disabled residents were evacuated from Beechmere Extra Care when fire ripped through the timber-framed building on Rolls Avenue in August 2019 (Photo: Ryan Parker).

No sprinklers were present in the original building.

A design and access statement submitted by Cassidy & Ashton on behalf of applicant Avantage says: "The proposal will be three storeys in a 'U' shape, accommodating 75, 100 per cent affordable one and two-bedroom apartments, with supporting communal and outdoor living spaces.

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"The proposed building has been designed to a reduced scale and massing from the historic proposals, representing a modest form that sits complementary to the existing domestic scale development surrounding the site.

"All apartments contain a shower room, kitchen and lounge facilities.

"The development also contains two communal lounges, a dining area, kitchen, a fitness and wellbeing suite, a snoezelen room, a therapy and consultation room, a village hall, a salon and a mobility scooter storage room."

The building will be brick built and feature timber-effect cladding.

As well as staff facilities, the development will also include four staircases and two lifts.

There are four communal access points to the residential garden and community patio.

The original vehicular and pedestrian access off Rolls Avenue will be retained.

A 44-space car park will include a mix of standard, accessible and EV bays.

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The 75 apartments are to be 100 per cent affordable and will be managed by Your Housing Group, Avantage Care.

The planning statement on behalf of the applicant says: "The principle of development for re-purposing this vacant site is clearly supported by national and local planning policy.

"The supporting documentation prepared by the design team demonstrates that all material planning considerations have been duly considered and designed, ensuring no detriment to highway safety, flood risk and drainage, acoustics, trees/ecology, environmental sustainability and fire safety."

The last date for submitting comments is July 7.

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