Former Attleborough chemical site earmarked for retirement complex

Former chemical warehouses are set to be demolished to make way for a huge new retirement village.

Breckland Council is considering plans for the Brenntag depot in Attleborough, which has been vacant for the last eight years.

The major development would see the existing buildings knocked down to make way for a new care home, housing and large community hub, as well as shops and restaurants.

If approved, the development could house up to 200 elderly people.

The former depot includes a vacant warehouse, office buildings, workshop and a large yard area. It spans a total of more than 10 acres.

The plans – lodged by Castlemeadow Care – will see these buildings demolished and replaced with 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.

Concerns have been raised about the impact of the scheme on local healthcare services.

Lucy McLean, practice manager at Attleborough Surgeries, said: “We have significant concerns regarding local health capacity in order to support the service user needs that will arise as a result of such a large-scale development.

“The complexity and level of demand that will be generated will overwhelm the practice and put an unmanageable strain on our already stretched services.”

The retirement village would sit alongside and the Attleborough Strategic Urban Development (SUE) site – a 4,000-home development that would double the population of the town.

This scheme has been in development for years but delays mean work that was expected to begin this summer has been pushed back to early next year.

Government agency Homes England owns the first parcel of land earmarked for development, which will include two primary schools and a new link road.

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