‘Eyesore’ former Brenntag depot in Attleborough set to be retirement village after plans approved
Plans for a huge retirement village at a former chemical depot in a Norfolk town have been approved.
Breckland Council gave the green light for the derelict Brenntag site on the outskirts of Attleborough to be demolished and redeveloped.
The scheme includes a new care home, housing and large community hub, as well as shops and restaurants.
Despite concerns about increased strain on local healthcare, councillors welcomed a new purpose for the “horrible” site.
The former depot in Station Road includes a vacant warehouse, office buildings, workshop and parking area, spanning more than 10 acres.
The proposals by Castlemeadow Care will see these buildings demolished and replaced by a 60-bedroom care home, 60 extra care apartments, 50 bungalows and a community hub.
There will also be 36 flats and three retail units, including a supermarket, built in addition to the specialist accommodation.
The scale of the development raised concerns about increased strain on local healthcare services.
Vera Dale, representing Attleborough Town Council, said she had been assured by the developer that there would be no significant impact, and welcomed the proposals.
She added: “These buildings are an eyesore and desperately need sorting out.
“It is derelict and horrible to drive past. We think this scheme has been well-thought-out and the transformation of this site is a real bonus.”
The former Brenntag chemical warehouses have been vacant for the last eight years and have become run down, having suffered break-ins and smashed windows.
Despite some concerns that the new buildings would still be unsightly, councillors argued the scheme would be a vast improvement on the current state of the site.
Paul Plummer, a Conservative councillor and retired blacksmith, said: “We’d all like thatched cottages with roses around them but that isn’t the world we live in.”
The plans were approved at a meeting of the council’s planning committee this week.
