RESIDENTS will have the chance to view and comment on redevelopment plans for a former bus depot during a public exhibition next week.

McCarthy and Stone will display its proposals to regenerate the vacant, brownfield site on Friars Street with approximately 54 retirement living apartments, attractive new landscaping and car parking.

Plans are still at a preliminary stage and no planning application has yet been submitted but initial meetings were held with local representatives in July 2017, including councillors, members of the Hereford Civic Society and site neighbours.

The public exhibition takes place on Wednesday, August 23 at Hereford Museum Resource and Learning Centre on Friars Street between 3pm and 7pm.

Martin Edwards, deputy regional managing director at McCarthy and Stone, said: “We want to hear from the local community and our future home-owners before we finalise our planning application. We will be displaying our plans at a public exhibition where our project team will be on hand to answer questions and listen to feedback on what we have done so far.

“Our proposal provides an important opportunity to deliver a sensitive residential development that will regenerate this brownfield site and significantly improve the housing choices for older home-owners in Hereford. Our Retirement Living apartments also deliver a boost to local businesses through increased year-round spending by our residents.”

McCarthy and Stone are proposing to demolish the existing former commercial buildings and replace these with a new single building which has been designed to complement and respect the character of neighbouring buildings.

The design proposed is contemporary in nature with traditional building materials, including brick and render.

Attractive new landscaping is also included, further improving the appearance of the site and local outlook.

McCarthy and Stone say there is a high need for additional homes for older people in Herefordshire with the local over 65s population predicted to rise by 49% over the next 20 years.

Residents unable to attend the public exhibition or who would like more information can find out more by calling the freephone information line on 0800 298 7040 or visiting mccarthyandstoneconsultation.co.uk/hereford