A PLANNING application has been submitted to turn the former Salisbury Bus Station on Endless Street into retirement homes.

It ends months of speculation and is the first planning application to be submitted for the site which closed in January.

Subject to permission being granted Churchill Retirement Living proposes that 47 one and two bedroom retirement homes be built at the site.

Andrew Burgess, Churchill Retirement Living’s Planning Director, said: “There is a massive need for private sheltered housing in the Salisbury area. The proposed development of 47 units will increase access to private sheltered housing for local residents.

“The site is located close to the shops and amenities of Salisbury city centre and is well served by public transport and provides sufficient parking.

“We have held productive pre-application discussions with Wiltshire Council and held a successful and well attended Public Exhibition. We have engaged in pre-application discussions with the Council to refine the design and bring forward a high-quality development.”

City Councillor Michael Pope believes that although many people have expressed views as to what they want the site to be it would be hard for the council to reject the plan.

He said: “With it being so close to the centre of town and the fact we have a need for retirement homes means that this application has benefits.

“There are not really any planning grounds to reject this proposal but I still remain open minded.”