MAJOR plans for a new retirement community with more than 100 bungalows, a 70-bed care home, doctor’s surgery and community centre have been unveiled.

Construction company Think Green Land Ltd has submitted a bid for outline planning permission to build the development on land north of Maldon Road, next to the Burnham bends to the west of the town.

The 35 acre site would consist of 103 bungalows, which would be a mix of one, two and three bed homes, a 70 bed care home with ground and first floor accommodation, and a 55 unit independent living building with a medical centre.

There would additionally be a community centre, including a multifunctional hall, outdoor pool, tennis court and parking area along with a cafe and shops with up to eight key worker flats.

The shops would potentially include a coffee shop, butchers, bakers, grocers and a hairdresser.

The proposed medical centre would provide GP care, dental and optical facilities.

Electric cycles and golf buggies would also be on hand for access to transport and other facilities, in addition to two minibuses for access to and from Burnham.

Walkways and footpaths would be introduced around and within the community, separate from highways.

Think Green Land has stated it wishes to focus on making the site a dementia friendly area, whilst also ensuring it is environmentally friendly.

In the design statement which has been published on Maldon District Council’s planning portal, the company stated there will be “mini communities” within the development.

It said: “The intention is to create a legible layout with visual cues, clearly defined zones and directional signage at key junctions so that early stage dementia and other residents who may still be living in their own home, or in the assisted living units, can easily navigate around the site and get to the shops, community centre, minibus terminus and on-site offices.

“Each mini community will have its own identity to enhance the wayfinding needs of the residents.

“To promote a healthy walking environment the footpaths and community spaces will have seating, shelters and good lighting will be provided along routes.

“The overall design principles are to create mini communities of bungalow dwellings that focus around a central care and community area. The care will range from dementia to independent living.

“The site will be well landscaped to promote an outdoor lifestyle, with foot and cycle paths linking to the central community areas that include local sops and a community centre.”

The outline planning application bid was submitted in April but only validated on Friday last week.

The existing owner of the land has not yet agreed to a sale, though Think Green Land has stated they would be willing to sell.

The outline application must first be approved by Maldon District Council, before a full application can be made, which will also go before members before being approved.