New homes and apartments plan near Larches House

The site layout shows green spaces Pic: planning documents

Plans have been lodged to build 28 homes and two apartments on top of a new retail shop, on land at Larches House in Larches Lane.

Planning permission is also sought for the removal of four trees, followed by the demolition of one home, the creation of two pre-fab classrooms and and one derelict garage building.

The site is roughly 1.25 hectares and is fully in ownership of the applicant Michael Patel of Sapphire Construction Solutions, which comprises the open land to the south of The Larches, a large Listed building.

The principles for the proposal are; to provide low density, high quality family housing in a safe environment; to include a high amount of ‘green space’; to reduce the dominance of the private car, to create a high quality suburban space; and creating defined public and private realms.

The proposed houses Pic: Planning documents

The proposed two and three bedroom houses would be terraced and semi-detached ranging from two to three storeys. They would be arranged throughout the site in blocks to create space for public areas, open spaces and garden areas.

The flats would provide a one bedroom accommodation.

As the site is an urban location, it is a requirement that 30 per cent of the houses be affordable accounting to nine dwellings which the applicant does not object.

There would be green corridors through the development to maintain the public footpath routes, reflecting the residential area and to encourage walking.

The site has an approximate 'L' shape — The site has an approximate ‘L’ shape Pic: planning documents

There is only one arrival point at the site by car and that will be from the new road access from Larches Lane.

The proposal would bring 65 car parking spaces with a minimum of two on site car parking for the two and three bedroom houses.

The design and access statement said: “The application site is located in an urban location, attached to existing modern suburban development.

“It is therefore a natural or logical extension of the existing urban fabric that aids the assimilation of the development into its surroundings and at the same time pays regard to the edge of urban setting within which the site is located.”