A proposal to build 29 discounted retirement homes in Tollesbury is under threat after officers at Maldon District Council questioned the need for housing of its type in the district.

Local developer Lewis & Scott submitted an application to the district council in July last year to build 29 specialist homes on land north of 48 Woodrolfe Road - called Tollesbury Salt Meadows - for local people aged 60 and over on average or below average incomes.

Five of the homes would be offered at affordable rent, with the rest sold at a 20 per cent discount, and all organised around a "social heart" community hub.

Founder Robert Scott wants to build the retirement community to give residents affordable options to downsize into - without having to move out of the district - based on his own experience of trying to find a "decent place" for his nan to live.

"Even with my experience in building, it was difficult to find somewhere suitable and familiar where she could stay independent for as long as possible," he said.

"I realised the scale of the problem facing older people who are trapped in properties that are no longer suitable, and the negative impact that has on their health and wellbeing."

But the community's future is hanging in the balance.

In an email to Lewis & Scott at the end of January, a planning officer said: "The council does not consider that evidence has been provided, to an acceptable degree, to confirm that there is need for this quantum of this, very specific, type of affordable housing in the district."

Helen Tidswell, from Lewis & Scott, said: "It took us by surprise - we don't understand the rationale because we aren't looking for anything in relation to that discount, except meeting our commitment to local people."

A report by Lewis & Scott says the number of people in the Maldon district aged 65+ is predicted to reach 23,800 by 2040 - a 38 per cent increase from 2020.

It says that, by 2040, one in four people aged 65+ in the district is expected to be living with a "long-term illness that limits their day-to-day activities - such as eating, bathing and dressing".

It adds: "Tollesbury Parish Council confirmed the need for specialist affordable older persons' housing within the village as part of the consultation process, recognising that the community is very close-knit and built on strong relationships."

The evidence in the report includes national ONS data, local Experian data and the opinions and experiences of residents who have spoken to Lewis & Scott throughout the planning process.

46 letters of support for the application have been submitted so far, alongside 10 objections and four neutral letters.

All two-storey buildings in the development would have lifts or stairlifts.

The plans include an increase of 10 per cent in biodiversity on the site, which would include new walkways through woodland and a wildlife pond.

The development has also been designed with dementia-friendly and therapeutic garden principles - including memory walks and sensory planting.

In a report in August, the world-leading dementia services development centre at the University of Stirling said Lewis & Scott's design would "give homeowners a sense of community, encouraging them to socialise with their neighbours, and reduce social isolation".

The report says: "The site is well-suited for a residential development for people with dementia, older people and their carers."

Planning officers are now writing a report to councillors on the proposal, which will either recommend the plans for approval or refusal.

A spokesperson for the district council said: "As this relates to a live planning application for which no formal recommendation has been reached, it is not appropriate to comment in detail on the case.

"Maldon District Council is always working to ensure that developments meet the needs of the residents of the entire district and that proposals fit with the council's adopted planning policies."

The spokesperson added that, at the time of the email, "the proposal was for 29 discount sale properties - whilst this type of offer does fall within the definition of affordable housing, the proposal at that time did not provide any properties to meet the need for affordable rent within the district".

Robert said: "Tollesbury Salt Meadows is unique in that every property has been affordable from the beginning.

"What's changed is that the senior housing specialist has asked that we designate five properties as affordable rent, making the scheme even more accessible.

"We think this is an excellent idea and hope that by amending the proposals to include affordable rent, the planning team will reconsider their position on the benefit this scheme could provide local older people."

Robert and Helen say they remain "fully committed to the retirement community in Tollesbury, and will not deviate from Lewis & Scott's mission to provide local, affordable and beautiful housing to people already living in the area".

They are asking residents to make their views known on the plans by contacting Councillor Penny Channer, the newly-elected leader of the district council, at [email protected].

You can read more about the homes here.