PROPOSALS for riverside retirement apartments on the site of a former supermarket off Taunton town centre will be unveiled today (Wednesday).

Churchill Retirement Living hopes to build the one and two-bedroom homes for the over-60s on derelict wasteland on Tangier Way, off Wood Street, that previously housed a Lidl store.

The company is currently preparing a planning application for the development, which would benefit from a lodge manager provided by Millstream Management Services, 24-hour careline, owners’ lounge and guest suite, all in landscaped grounds.

A public exhibition is taking place today (Wednesday) at St James Church, Taunton, from 5pm to 7pm.

A Churchill spokesman said the design is being carefully produced to ensure it makes a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area, relating sensitively to the adjacent buildings.

Somerset County Gazette:

Andrew Burgess, planning director of Churchill Retirement Living, said: “There is a real need for private retirement housing in the Taunton area.

"Our proposed development will go some way to increasing access to this type of housing for local residents.

"By meeting this rising demand, we can allow older people to downsize and free up under occupied houses in the local area for families.

"As well as meeting the need for high-quality retirement apartments, the development will bring benefits to the local economy.

"Owners will be within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants and other amenities in the town, helping to boost local businesses."

Somerset County Gazette:

The former Lidl building was demolished shortly after the store closed in December 2015, when a new outlet was opened 100 metres down the road.