PLANS for 73 retirement homes have been given the green light.

West Oxfordshire District Council's planning committee approved plans at the former Parker Knoll factory site just off London Road, Chipping Norton.

McCarthy and Stone, will now build the retirement homes, including 59 assisted living apartments, six retirement homes and eight bungalows for the over 55s.

Darren Humphreys, McCarthy and Stone’s regional managing director commented: “We are very pleased that our plans to redevelop this vacant brownfield site with much-needed new homes for older people received support from the local community.

"Our plans offer an important opportunity to sensitively regenerate this site with a mix of specialist retirement accommodation, including assisted living accommodation, together with new homes and bungalows for over 55s, which will significantly improve local housing choice for older homeowners.”

The plans will create 18 new full time jobs including on-site care staff and the application also includes 64 parking spots.

Prior to submitting its plans, McCarthy and Stone consulted with the local community, holding individual meetings with nearby neighbours and stakeholders, including members of Chipping Norton Town Council.

Over 3,000 homes and businesses were also invited to a public exhibition in November 2016, which was attended by 130 local people.

The development will provide car parking for homeowners, staff and visitors, together with the introduction of extensive new landscaping, including new tree planting along Trinity Road.

Chipping Norton Town Council said that they were against the plan.

Vanessa Oliveri, clerk of Chipping Norton Town Council said on the application: "The town council state that there is not a need for another old persons development in Chipping Norton.

"There is already a plan to build an older persons development across the road by the new Health Centre.

"The town council refer WODC to the CNNP (Chipping Norton Neighbourhood Plan).

"At the moment there are 12-14 vacant older peoples properties in the town and these figures do not include the new Penhurst development.

"Town councillors agreed that the town doesn't cater enough for the young people and insist that there is a need for more public sector housing to be

built for the people who cannot afford to buy a house."