Images of what will replace the Arriva bus depot on St John’s Road went on public display for the first time on Thursday (October 20).
They formed part of a public consultation run by PegasusLife who plan to redevelop the depot into a complex comprising of 94 residential units and communal areas, including a gym and swimming pool.
PegasusLife, who specialise in ‘assisted living’, bought the 47,114 sq ft (4,376 sq m) site in June for an undisclosed sum.
However, a condition of the sale means Arriva will be leasing the bus garage back from PegasusLife for at least 12 months.
The proposed development will see a six storey building – a height the company believes is ‘comparable’ with other buildings in the area – partially set back from the road, with trees planted along the frontage to ‘soften’ its appearance.
A variety of materials will be used with the intention of creating a ‘varied’ appearance to the building by blending contemporary styles with architecture that also reflects the historic nature of the town.
In total, 68 parking spaces are proposed to be provided for residents, visitors and staff, which will be accessed from the existing entrance on Woodbury Park Road.
Community areas will occupy the entirety of the ground floor and will include a hydrotherapy pool, treatment rooms, a gym, social kitchen and communal lounge.
In addition, a smaller separate building constituting a four storey block of apartments will be built facing Woodbury Park Road, behind the main redevelopment.
This smaller building will reflect its neighbouring buildings while ‘reinforcing’ the residential appearance and character of the road by: “filling in the existing large and unsightly gap between properties.”
