ONE of Tavistock's largest employers is to move to another site in the town — paving the way for a pioneeering property development.

Superwinch has been made an offer 'too good to miss' by award-winning building firm McCarthy and Stone. It is proposing to construct its first retirement complex in the borough at Superwinch's current Abbey Rise site.

The housing company, which wants to build 50 apartments for the elderly and a car park at Abbey Rise, has been searching for a site in Tavistock for a long time, after research revealed a big demand.

Meanwhile Superwinch, a company with a 35-year history of manufacturing in Tavistock, has signed an option agreement on two plots of land at Pitts Cleave Industrial Estate on the outskirts of the town.

South West Regional managing director of McCarthy and Stone, Derek Field, said there was a big demand for retirement flats in Tavistock.

'Market research has shown us there is a need for this type of housing in the town,' he said.

'Our homes are occupied by people over 60, many of whom are widows or widowers, who want security and companionship.'

Mr Field said generally occupants were from the locality who no longer had a need for their larger homes.

'Older people tend to only move a few miles, in which case a development like this would free up housing within the borough which is currently grossly underutilised.

'The Superwinch site is an ideal opportunity for us because it is close to the town centre and the shops. There could be up to 70 people living here and spending money in Tavistock which could have a rejuvenating effect on the town.'

All McCarthy and Stone developments, which are specifically for the active elderly, have video-controlled entrances for security purposes, communal facilities such as a residents' lounge and gardens, a house manager, visitor facilities and car parking.

The company, voted best national builder 2004 in a national newspaper's British Housebuilder Awards, has 50 new developments due to be constructed across Britain over the next 12 months.

Schemes in Plymouth, Seaton, Axminster, Torquay and Plymstock have all proved popular, with the latter development sold out within two weeks of going on the market.

Company secretary for Superwinch, Alan Haypall, said the sale of the site was conditional on planning permission being granted and a 15-month time schedule thereafter in order for the company to make a smooth transition from closing one factory to opening another.

He said: 'We had no intentions of selling the building, but we had an offer from McCarthy and Stone. The building is 29 years old and not ideal, so it was too good an opportunity to miss.

Superwinch makes winches for recovery vehicles and currently has a workforce of forty. Last year the company rationalised its manufacturing operation to invest in the servicing, repair and distribution side of the business.

Mr Haypall said the business was having to change but there were plans for expansion. This would be aided by a warehouse-style building where the company could operate more efficiently.

The main issue for West Devon Borough Council's planning department when the application comes up for discussion will be the loss of employment land at Abbey Rise.

Borough councillor for Tavistock South Ted Sherrell said: 'This sort of housing would be most welcome in Tavistock and certainly needed, but it is crucial that Superwinch is relocated in or close to the town to preserve the jobs of the local workforce.

'This site has always been employment land and it is vital that no employment is lost through this development.'