McCarthy & Stone has announced plans for a £20.5m development of 95 specialist retirement apartments in Standish, Greater Manchester.

Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council granted planning permission subject to the completion of a legal agreement. The development will include 64 apartments built to McCarthy & Stone’s Retirement Living PLUS specification - a form of Extra Care Housing.

These will be made up of a mix of self-contained one and two-bedroom apartments, alongside the option of flexible domestic and personalised care and support packages from McCarthy & Stone’s on-site team. Retirement Living PLUS offers a range of facilities to residents, including an open-plan bistro, residents’ lounge, wellness suite and a guest suite.

Gary Day, McCarthy & Stone’s Group Land and Planning Director, said: “We are delighted to have been granted planning permission for this latest McCarthy & Stone development, which brings with it the choice of our Retirement Living and Retirement Living PLUS apartments for more customers. There is significant appetite across the UK for downsizing to a home that is easier to maintain but that still provides independent living. Despite this and the ageing population in the UK there remains a vast undersupply of suitable housing for older people.”

A further 31 apartments will be built to McCarthy & Stone’s Retirement Living specification, which is aimed at the more active older homeowner, but still provides on-site support and maintenance for peace of mind, as well as a shared homeowners’ lounge.