COUNCILLORS will continue to fight plans for a new retirement complex in Thornbury as a government inspector prepares to make a decision on the controversial scheme.

Churchill Retirement Living wants to build 57 sheltered flats and five cottages on the site of the former South Gloucestershire Council offices in Castle Street, but Thornbury Town Council opposes the plans.

A government planning inspector will have the final say on the application at an inquiry later this month, after South Gloucestershire Council failed to make a decision in the required time.

At Tuesday’s meeting of Thornbury Town Council’s development committee, members said they would stand by their objections to the development.

Cllr Clive Parkinson said his main concern was that the proposed architecture was “not sympathetic to the other buildings along Castle Street”.

He also criticised the design of the site and said better plans could make more out of the space available.

The town council intends to put its points across at the planning inquiry, which is set to take place in Yate from Tuesday, April 25 and expected to last four days.

The Castle Street offices, built in 1986, were vacated by council staff in 2013 after they were relocated to premises in Kingswood and Yate.

Andrew Burgess, of Churchill Retirement Living, said: “We believe there is a compelling overall housing need in Thornbury, especially for elderly people.

“This site is situated on previously developed land, and is a highly appropriate, sustainable and accessible location for a new development of this kind.”

Mr Burgess added: “I believe that the planning officers need to reflect on their approach and appreciate that the unattractive disused council building will be demolished and replaced by a far better building that will enhance the conservation area.”

A SGC spokeswoman said: “We raised a number of concerns with the design and the affordable housing aspects of the application which meant it could not be considered within the statutory 13-week timescale. We always try to work with developers to get a scheme to comply with planning policies rather than issue a refusal.”