Burnham's elderly ‘Utopia’ sparks criticism

Construction company Think Green Land wants to redevelop land north west of Maldon Road in Burnham and create a large retirement community.

The proposals include 103 bungalows, a 70-bed care home, 55-unit independent living building and a new medical centre.

But Dale Evans, Essex County Council’s head of older people’s commissioning, has now said such a scheme will not be effective in the area and that efforts should focus on Maldon instead.

A letter from Mr Evans to John Swords, strategic housing manager at Maldon District Council, said: “Our modelling has identified the strongest location for a scheme to meet demand, particularly from and adult social care perspective, would be Maldon town, the largest population centre in the district.

“The proposed scheme is outside Burnham.

“The isolated location increases the risk of voids, social isolation for customers and risks to care delivery.

“Therefore, the council’s adult social care does not support nominations into this scheme.”

Ian Holloway, project director at Think Green Land, expressed “surprise” at Mr Evans’ comments.

He said: “When we made the initial approach to Essex County Council nearly three years ago, they were very supportive of the project and location.

“Far from voids or social isolation the community we plan to build is just that, a community, where care delivery is paramount.

“The very nature of the community with neighbourly care values will take pressure off of the NHS and social services as residents will be able to stay in their homes longer living independent lives.

“Conversation obtaining suitable land is not an easy process as national developers seek to build housing rather than elderly care facilities within development boundaries.”

Work on the development is expected to start at the end of next year if planning permission is granted.

Burnham Town Council has also shown opposition to the development.