A developer hoping to turn Marlow’s police station into 32 flats has hit out at “nimby” neighbours and their “flimsy objections” and rubbished the town council’s opposition to the scheme.

Last week, Marlow Town Council sided with some residents and objected to Churchill Retirement Living’s proposal to convert the 1960s building on Dean Street, with former mayor Suzanne Brown calling the number of parking spaces for the scheme as “ridiculous”.

But Churchill’s planning director Andrew Burgess said the council that is wrong and that “a small handful” of "nimby" residents who complained are ignoring the benefits the project could have on the town.

Mt Burgess insisted the 13 parking spaces for the 32 apartments was “well within” council guidelines and that he was “confident” it would be enough for future residents and their visitors.

And he said the firm has listened to the concerns of Marlovians and made changes to limit the impact on neighbours.

He said: “The proposed scheme has been amended in a number of ways to reflect feedback from local residents at the public consultation, to decrease the overall bulk of the development and address objections of ‘over-development’.

“We recognise that in general many older people do still own cars. However, being within such easy walking distance of shops and amenities means that very few of our residents will need to own a car.

“From many years of experience we know that the vast majority of people moving into our developments make the cheaper and more sustainable decision to leave their cars behind.

“If anyone’s views are ‘ridiculous’ and ‘outdated’ it is those of the Town Council and a small handful of NIMBY residents.

“Their flimsy objections ignore the social and economic benefits that would come from boosting housing supply and bringing an attractive, high quality and sustainable development to the area.”

The station has been up for sale since February last year after Thames Valley Police announced £44.6m of savings had to be made on top of the £58.9m shaved off its budget since 2011/12.

As well as 32 retirement flats, the complex would include an office for use by Marlow police officers.

The town council has officially objected to the plan, which will now be decided by Wycombe District Council.

But Churchill insists there is a “real need” to build more dedicated homes for pensioners as people live longer.

And Mr Burgess insists if more pensioners decide to downsize it will free up much-needed homes for younger families in Marlow.

He said: “There is a real need for private retirement housing in the Marlow area and our proposed development will go some way to increasing access to this type of housing for local residents.

“If this development was allowed it would enable more older people to downsize, in turn freeing up more homes in the local area for young families to move into.

“As well as meeting the need for high-quality retirement apartments, the development will bring benefits to the local economy, putting new residents within walking distance of many shops, restaurants and other amenities.”

WDC is expected to make a final decision on the police station plan by next month.