AMBITIOUS plans for a retirement complex with 100 homes, a medical centre and shops has been thrown out despite the potential to create 600 new jobs.

Cherry Orchard Homes and Villages planned the big new development at Cherry Orchard Brickworks, Cherry Orchard Way, Rochford.

The blueprint included a retirement village including 63 retirement apartments, six discounted homes, 30 assisted living homes, 30 sheltered apartments and a 93-bed care home.

A convenience store, surgery with 12 doctors, pharmacy, hydrotherapy pool, gym, office space and community space was also included.

However, Rochford District Council has now rejected the plans because the proposed site is earmarked for commercial and industrial use.

Echo: Designs - how the plans were set to look Designs - how the plans were set to look

They also worried about chances of an isolated community and criticised a lack of information about who could live there.

Bosses at the developers firm say they have submitted a formal complaint with the council.

A planning officers’ report to councillors said the proposals should be refused because the site is allocated for employment use as part of a business park.

They added the homes would be isolated from the existing residential areas, there are no connections to existing public transport and poor pedestrian connections to Rochford.

The officers’ report also said the plans were concerning because of a lack of affordable housing and flood risk and also a lack of proper flood assessments.

Lesley Butcher, Tory councillor, said: “I agree with the idea of a retirement village. It would be brilliant but according to the facts we were shown in the meeting it’s not a suitable place.

“There’s got to be better transport in the area for it.”

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Simon Smith, Tory vice-chairman of Rochford District Council’s development committee, said: “I think it’s on a knife edge. If the economy is going to turn up rapidly then clearly the site is needed for commercial and industrial use as it is allocated.

“But if the economy is going to take longer to recover is it right the council leaves the site to stagnate while jobs could be created with these plans or something similar.

“This is not the first time the plans have come in and I think the first time was pre-Covid and at the time the argument didn’t stand up. Now it’s finally balanced and I think it’s difficult one and is a big decision.”

A spokesman for Cherry Orchard Homes and Villages said: “A formal complaint has been lodged with Angela Hutchings, Rochford District Council interim director, regarding the application and we await her response.”