Attleborough Brenntag site to become retirement village

Breckland Council is due to consider plans for the Brenntag depot in Attleborough, which has been vacant for the last eight years.

The major development would see the existing buildings knocked down to make way for a new care home, housing and large community hub as well as shops and restaurants. 

The proposals have been met with concern from local healthcare providers, with the development expected to house some 200 elderly residents. 

The development site in Attleborough (Image: Google Maps) The former depot includes a vacant warehouse, office buildings, workshop and a large yard area for car and lorry parking. It spans a total of more than 10 acres. 

The plans lodged by Castlemeadow Care will see these buildings demolished and replaced by a 60-bedroom care home, 60 extra care apartments, 50 bungalows and a community hub. 

There will also be 36 flats and three retail units, including a supermarket, built in addition to the specialist accommodation. 

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Concerns have been raised about the impact of the scheme on local healthcare services.

Lucy McLean, practice manager at Attleborough Surgeries, said: "We have significant concerns regarding local health capacity in order to support the service user needs that will arise as a result of such a large scale development. 

"The complexity and level of demand that will be generated will overwhelm the practice and put an unmanageable strain on our already stretched services."

Attleborough is set for huge expansion (Image: Mike Page) The retirement village would sit alongside and be an extension of the Attleborough Strategic Urban Development (SUE) site - a 4,000-home development that would double the population of the town. 

This scheme has been in development for years but delays mean work that was expected to begin this summer has been pushed back.

Government agency Homes England owns the first parcel of land earmarked for development, which will include two primary schools and a new link road. 

Its role is to accelerate the development, which is now expected to get under way in early 2025.

Breckland Council's planning department will consider whether to approve plans for the new retirement village later this month.