A COMPANY which manages and develops retirement communities has ‘acquired an interest’ in a former sports car garage site.

McCarthy and Stone have expressed an interest in transforming the land of the former Longpool Porsche dealership, on Shap Road in Kendal, into assisted living accommodation for older residents.

The company revealed they are currently in the early stages of drawing up the proposal for the site’s possible redevelopment.

Plans would include retirement living with ‘attractive new landscaping’ and car parking, they said.

The developers have commenced a pre-application consultation programme, which will be directed ‘towards digital and postal formats’ and have written to local representatives and neighbours of the site to give them an opportunity to view the initial proposals via online one-to-one meetings.

The company have also said that before submitting a planning application to South Lakeland District Council they will be holding a two week virtual public exhibition, allowing the community to view and comment on the proposals.

Ian Wilkins, divisional managing director north of McCarthy and Stone said: “We are keen to develop a scheme that positively contributes to the local community through a high quality, attractive design.

“We will therefore be involving the local community throughout the planning application process as we believe it is vital for local people to be given opportunity to offer their feedback.”

A company spokesman added: “McCarthy and Stone believes that Kendal is an area where there is a local need for this type of accommodation.

“In addition, retirement apartments would allow occupants looking to ease the burden of maintaining a large property the opportunity to downsize, releasing larger family homes onto the market, thereby minimising the need to build on greenfield sites.”

Meanwhile Porsche franchise holders Parker & Parker commenced works on their new South Lakes Porsche Centre located north of Kellet Road, Carnforth, in July.

The owners decided to embark on the multi-million pound project because they said they had outgrown the Longpool site in Kendal.