SALISBURY’S derelict former bus station could be turned into retirement homes if a new proposal gets the go-ahead.

After months of speculation about the future of the Endless Street bus station, which closed in January, Churchill Retirement Living has revealed plans to build 46 retirement properties on the brownfield site.

The plans will go on display at Salisbury Methodist Church on Wednesday.

They include the construction of one and two bedroom flats solely for people aged 60 or over.

However, questions have already been asked about the suitability of the site for retirement homes.

City councillor James Robertson said: “I think with all the air pollution it isn’t a good place to have older people, in addition this development is near to all the city nightlife. It would be much better if they built it in the leafy suburbs.

“I would prefer the bus station to be a covered market, as proposed last year by a group of city architects.”

Another city councillor, Mark Timbrell, is calling for the site to be used for affordable housing claiming there is no shortage of retirement homes in Salisbury.

He said: “I believe that the desperate demand for more affordable housing in Salisbury needs to be addressed and this site would be an ideal place to offer such housing.”

Wiltshire councillor Helena McKeown, whose ward includes the bus station site, said: “I have yet to form my opinion and I call upon everybody else to go to the consultation day.

“I would add I am disappointed that the bus station was shut down but something does need to be done with the derelict land. I always enjoy hearing what people’s views are and I would like people to tell me what they have to say.”

Andrew Burgess, the planning director at Churchill Retirement Living, said the new retirement properties will be beneficial to the city. “We place great importance on engaging with local communities during the planning process and providing them with an opportunity to have their say on our early-stage plans,” he said.

“We believe our proposals for this brownfield and derelict site will significantly enhance the local area and provide much-needed specialist housing for older people.

“Not only do our developments offer security, peace of mind and independence for residents, they in turn free up larger, family homes for local people.”

The public exhibition will be held from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday, September 3 in the Sanctuary Room at Salisbury Methodist Church, St Edmund’s Church Street, Salisbury.