New Retirement Complex Rises from 2019 Fire Ashes

New plans have been submitted for a retirement complex intended to replace the Beechmere Extra Care facility in Crewe, which was devastated by fire nearly seven years ago, in August 2019. Approximately 150 elderly and disabled residents were evacuated during that incident.

While planning permission for a 132-apartment replacement was granted in 2020, that project never materialized. The latest proposal details a smaller facility comprising 75 one and two-bedroom apartments. A key improvement noted in the application is the inclusion of sprinklers throughout the new building, a feature absent in the original structure.

The proposed three-storey building, designed in a 'U' shape, will accommodate the 75 apartments alongside communal areas and outdoor living spaces. It is designed to complement the surrounding domestic-scale developments. The facility will offer various amenities, including communal lounges, a dining area, a fitness suite, a therapy room, a village hall, a salon, and mobility scooter storage. The original vehicular and pedestrian access will be retained.