A “much-needed” block of assisted living flats for the elderly has been given the green light.

Outline plans for a care facility at Boorman Way in Whitstable have been in the works for seven years but did not specify exactly what form they would take.

Now, the scheme for the 71 apartments has received the go-ahead for the Estuary View Business Park.

It is located opposite another medical centre where permission was initially granted for a 102-suite care home back in 2017.

However, in 2023 Graham Care Group, the firm behind the plans, submitted the latest proposals for the assisted living apartments instead.

At a meeting of Canterbury City Council’s (CCC) planning committee on July 23, members met to weigh up the plans.

Dr John Ribchester, a GP at Whitstable Medical Practice which owns Estuary View Medical Centre, attended to support the plans.

The application includes reorganising the car parking at the medical centre to provide 90 spaces and is related to another application for 83 more car parking spaces nearby.

“Access to our building is vital, 12 hours a day, 365 days a year,” Dr Ribchester said.

“There is a bus service but most people accessing healthcare do so by car – adequate car parking is vital for patients and for our staff.

“This plan includes two car parks exclusively for Whitstable medical practice patients and staff.

“If these are not built our services will not be accessible to the current number of patients let alone the future number from current and future housing developments,” he stressed.

Architect for the project Melissa Magee also spoke in favour saying: “[The development] provides an opportunity for residents to be supported in a home environment with the highest standards of care delivered by a dedicated team of experts while living an active and independent lifestyle.”

Assisted living apartments provide a normal residential home, but where people are regularly seen by medical or care staff.

Ms Magee continued: “We believe the proposal will provide an opportunity for much-needed care to become a choice move.”

She stressed the plans include a hydrotherapy pool, a gym and that they have built a footbridge to nearby shops for residents.

A restaurant and reception lounge will also be included, as will a library, hobby rooms and a garden roof terrace.

Stagecoach has also been trialling a bus service to the area at the request of the developers.

However, Richard Barrett of the Whitstable Society attended to oppose the plans, saying: “The Whitstable Society still considers the proposed building to be too large for the site and damaging for the surrounding area.

“This does not take into account the current, relentless major local building developments, let alone the thousands more proposed in the draft local plan.

“We can’t see how those parking spaces are anywhere near enough for the longer term.”

CCC planning officers recommended members approve the plans, with councillors voting unanimously in favour.

Councillors sung its praises, with former GP Cllr Peter Old (Lib Dem) saying: “The elderly population is the fastest growing demographic in our area and has been largely neglected in the local plan.

“I think it's great to see some attention finally being paid to that.

“Very few people when they’re reaching the stage of their life when they need additional care really want to go into residential or nursing home care.

“What they want to do is to live in supported accommodation and try to live as independently, although with support, for as long as possible.

“The most cruel thing we do to older people at this stage of their lives is separate married couples, so one of them requires nursing residential care and goes into it, and splits up a couple that have been together for years and years.

“I’m thoroughly excited by this project.”

Council documents explain occupancy will be restricted to those over 65 years of age who need some form of ongoing care due to physical disability or frailty.

All of the apartments have two bedrooms allowing residents’ partners or carers to stay with them.

A 68-space car park will be included to serve the part-four, part-five-storey block and a ramp will connect the building to the Prospect Retail Park.

Cllr Ian Stockley (Con) added: “I’m aware that the density is pretty high but I think this is one of the few occasions where that is appropriate.

“I feel this is something we should support, and something we need more of, to be frank.”