Developers have submitted an application to Maldon District Council (MDC) to create a new retirement living community in Tollesbury.

The proposal, by Lewis & Scott Retirement Living, consists of 29 affordable dwellings and a community hub building on Salt Meadows, located on the land north of 48 Woodrolfe Road.

The proposed residential neighbourhood would be organised around a "social heart" community hub, and has been designed in accordance with dementia-friendly and therapeutic garden principles.

Lewis & Scott cited the need for affordable specialist housing, issues of social isolation and Maldon's ageing population as its reasons for wanting to create a new retirement community in the district.

It said: "A lack of suitable housing, compounded by issues of social isolation and affordability, is one of the most pressing issues facing the ageing population, according to Central Government.

"And the effects on healthspan and wellbeing are particularly acute for the middle market - those on average retirement incomes.

"Maldon is facing a 38 per cent increase in its 60+ demographic within the next 20 years, of which 70 per cent will be in the mid-market.

"Of these, over 5,000 people in the district are projected to have a life-limiting long-term illness by 2040, in addition to high numbers experiencing mobility issues and dementia."

MDC has previously identified the need for more retirement properties in the district.

Lewis & Scott has designed the proposal - its first development - with an emphasis on the specialist needs of an ageing population.

It has designed two dementia-friendly memory walks for the site, one of which would create an "identifiable design loop" incorporating sensory planting.

The other memory walk would be created in existing woodland and would include markers such as signs, nature boxes for birds, wildlife havens, identifiable seating areas and specific surface treatment to help residents with location placement.

The plans include communal and private gardens, which would be planted with a range of plants, shrubs and trees.

Lewis & Scott plan to retain and "enhance" the site's current habitat by planting more trees, replacing the closeboard fencing at its western boundary with hedgerows and planting a wildflower meadow to its northern and eastern boundaries.

The developers also hope to create walkways through the site's woodland and a wildlife pond to provide a "quiet, contemplative area".

Maisonettes, bungalows and cottages are planned for the development.

The dwellings would be sold as freehold, with a 20 per cent discount under Lewis & Scott's 60+ Discounted Home Ownership scheme for residents of the area.

Prices would start from around £250,000 after the discount, which would be available to residents who live in the area, are aged 60 and over and have a household income below the median for the area.

As of 27 July, 139 people in the area had registered their interest in purchasing a home on the development - the main reason they cited was wishing to remain close to friends and family.

MDC has now validated the application and, if approved, Lewis & Scott hopes to begin building on the site later this year.

To find out more about the development and to register your interest, you can access the scheme's survey using the link here.

You can also visit Lewis & Scott's Facebook page using the link here.