A PUBLIC exhibition is set to be held over plans to redevelop a piece of land into a retirement living complex.

Proposals have been put forward by retirement housebuilder McCarthy & Stone to develop land at Rawlings Haulage Yard, in Hook, into a mixture of retirement living and specialist extra care apartments.

The land identified is currently a brownfield site with the developer arguing the proposal would improve how this entrance into Hook will look.

The plans are still at a preliminary stage and no planning application has been submitted yet, though initial meetings were held with residents, councillors and residents’ groups in early October.

The public exhibition, which marks the next stage of consultation, will take place today (Thursday) in The Dave Colebrooke Room, at the Life Church Centre, in Elms Road between 3pm and 7pm.

Nearly 2,000 people have been invited to the public exhibition to share their views and raise any concerns they may have about the proposals.

Regarding the exhibition, Martin Brown, development director for McCarthy & Stone said: “We are committed to consulting with the local community regarding these proposals, and the public exhibition will offer residents an opportunity to view the plans and speak directly with members of the project team to understand what is being proposed.

“The comments we receive will help us refine our proposals to deliver a high-quality development that will significantly improve the housing choices for older people in Hook.”

McCarthy & Stone state the proposals will bring about vital accommodation for people aged over 60 in the Hook area while also bringing a boost to the local economy.

The developers believe these plans are crucial for Hook, saying that a Strategic Housing Market Assessment covering the years between 2014-2032 found there is an estimated shortfall of around 1,500 specialist retirement homes in the Hart District Council area, up to the period of 2034 which their proposal would help to meet.

For more information about the retirement living and specialist extra care apartment proposal and the public exhibition being held, call 0800 29887040 or go to mccarthyandstone.co.uk.