PLANS to redevelop land at the former Erskine Barracks site in Wilton into retirement apartments have been submitted to Wiltshire Council.

McCarthy and Stone, which is behind the development at the southern end of the site, want to build 39 retirement apartments comprising 16 one-bed flats and 23 two-bed flats.

Other facilities include a communal residents' lounge, a guest suite, a separate enclosed storage area for mobility scooters and bikes, as well as 31 car parking spaces.

In October 2014, it received outline planning permission by Wiltshire Council as part of the wider barracks site.

The overall development consists of 292 residential dwellings with outline consent granted for employment and commercial facilities, veterans’ accommodation, a care home, a local convenience store and retirement accommodation.

Shane Paull, McCarthy and Stone’s regional managing director, said: "We have worked hard to design a high-quality scheme which is sensitive to the character of Wilton. We have taken inspiration from the historic architecture of Wilton, using design features such as gable ends, bays, and pale and chequered flint brick work.

"Data shows that in Wiltshire 85,400 residents are currently aged over 65 with the projected population of this age group set to increase to 156,000 by 2035."

He added: "An average McCarthy and Stone Retirement Living scheme typically generates a resident spend in local shops of £670,000 per year.”

* Wilton Mayor Phil Matthews called the new Redrow Homes’ Wilton Hill development a “great asset” to the community during a launch of show rooms in The Avenue, welcoming future residents and those at Erskine Park.

He said: “This development will be a great asset to our community in future and those who come to live here will find a great community spirit with plenty of activities going on throughout the year.

“Wilton has both a fascinating past and a really great future which I am sure the new residents will appreciate.”

In March, £3.5 million – in national fines collected from rule-breaking banks – was also allocated in the Budget to Our Wilton, and Alabare Christian Care, to create a new “veteran’s village”: 45 homes at Wilton Hill built to support vulnerable veterans get back on their feet.