Proposal with Manningham Council to build retirement units next to The Pines in Doncaster East

A PROPOSED retirement village for Doncaster East would see 283 apartments built next door to The Pines shopping centre.

Stockland has released further details of its proposed retirement village which would be built in a section of The Pines shopping centre's carpark.

A PROPOSED retirement village for Doncaster East would see 283 apartments built next door to The Pines shopping centre.

The project would include four five-storey buildings, a resident clubhouse with communal dining, health and wellbeing facilities, and exclusive carparking for apartment dwellers.

There would be separate vehicle access to Reynolds Rd, and the centre’s southwestern carpark would be redeveloped.

Stockland wants to redevelop a section of The Pines carpark to build a retirement village for Doncaster East.

Additional undercover parking, upgrades to the bus interchange, and more accessible public space for local residents and customers are also part of revamped plans, after initial talks between centre management Stockland and Manningham Council last September.

RELATED: Stockland wants to redevelop a section of The Pines carpark

Stockland retirement living regional manager Paul Keleher said the complex would be perfect for local homeowners who want to downsize but remain in the neighbourhood.

“We have been talking for some time with existing retailers, customers and the wider community to ensure this design has the potential to not only create a well-connected village but also enhance our customer experience at the existing shopping centre,” he said.

Doncaster East woman Coral Deboo told the Leader in September she shopped regularly at The Pines and already battled with congestion.

“The carpark is pretty full already particularly when everyone comes in to do their grocery shopping, you certainly notice it then,” she said.

Stockland runs 65 retirement villages across Australia, which are home to more than 12,000 people.

The council has advertised the plans for comment. Submissions can be made at manningham.vic.gov.au/planning-register until February 14.