A PLANNING application which would see the construction of a major retirement village near South Marston looks set to be approved.

Earlier this year developers put forward the plan to build 120 close care apartments, a 40-bedroom dementia home as well as other facilities such as a shop, library and hydrotherapy pool for residents.

It will be at Catsbrain Farm, where a second application is also set to be given approval at next week’s planning committee meeting.

On a separate set of land, proposals to build a petrol station, a family restaurant and two takeaway restaurants have been seen as acceptable by planning officers.

Both applications are for outline planning permission so the exact layout will have to be agreed at a later date.

Swindon has an ageing population and concerns have been raised in the past about the lack of facilities.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics suggest the number of people over 65 will more than double in the next 20 years while it is predicted the number of dementia sufferers will increase by 80 per cent.

The facility would be very close to the Stanton Lodge care facility and, although one resident objected on the grounds of increased traffic, planning officers felt the two would complement each other.

A report set to go before members next week says: “On balance it is considered that the sustainable benefits of permitting a care village in close proximity to an existing facility will create some synergies between the two sites and that this will generate a significant number of new jobs with some additional employment likely in ancillary businesses linked to the operations of the care village.

“This justifies permitting this use within the de facto countryside.”

When it is built the care village will have facilities can maintain a high level of independence with the number of facilities but there is support available as their needs alter over time.

Although the petrol station and food premises fall outside of the main urban area of Swindon, it will service the employees of the nearby Honda plant and other employers.

Comparisons have been made by the agents with other similar locations around Swindon.

“Whitmarsh Lockhart draw a direct comparison between Windmill Hill and Lydiard Fields in West Swindon who have the benefit of retail, coffee shop and 'on the go' food establishments together with hotel and pub restaurant facilities associated with the Premier Inn and Hilton Hotel in that location,” says the report.

The report will go before committee members on September 8.