PLANS to demolish a Kingswinford office block and build 50 retirement living homes have been withdrawn.

Churchill Retirement Living submitted a planning application earlier this year to bulldoze the existing Hampshire House building in the High Street and build a block of 47 apartments and three cottages for people aged 60 and over.

The plan, however, was withdrawn on July 26, documents on Dudley Council’s planning website confirm.

A design and access statement submitted on behalf of Churchill outlined plans for a “high quality development” comprising one and two-bedroom apartments and communal facilities, car parking and landscaping plus three cottages fronting Water Street.”

The development was also set to accommodate a manager, guest room that could be booked for visitors and a digital support system in apartments for 24-hour emergency support.

Churchill had said the scheme would help to meet the current “shortfall of retirement accommodation in the borough”.

The company also said the scheme would result in savings for healthcare services as people living in homes for later living enjoy a reduced risk of health challenges.

A number of residents, however, had objected to the proposal - citing concerns about a lack of privacy and traffic.

Dudley Council’s highways department also objected – saying there was a lack of proposed parking and the scheme did not consider the needs of pedestrians, cyclists or disabled users.