PLANS to build 22 homes in Wotton have been submitted to Stroud District Council.

Worcester-based Fortis Living has lodged an application with SDC for the development off Fountain Crescent.

Permission is sought by the firm to construct the houses which range from one-bedroom flats to three-bedroom dwellings.

Submitted at the end of last month, the proposal includes parking facilities for 42 vehicles.

One of three SDC representatives for Wotton, Cllr Ken Tucker (Lib Dem) was pleased that the site may finally be put to some use.

“It is good that this piece of land which has been vacant for so long will soon be made of use and ideally we could like to see it approved by Christmas.

“Wotton is a town where three and sometimes four family generations live in our community.

“What we need is some truly affordable housing, particularly for our younger generations, rather than the expensive four bedroom executive homes being proposed at Holywell Farm and off Symn Lane, behind the fire station.

“Some of the former garage sites around the town and elsewhere in the district will also be put up for sale and Cllr George Butcher (Lib Dem, Wotton) and I will be campaigning for as many ‘affordable’ and housing association properties to be built on all these sites as possible.”

In February the Gazette revealed that the vacant field would be put on the market as SDC looks to make up for a huge reduction in funding provided by central government.

Fountain Crescent was not the only site sold off due to this, with Queen’s Court in Thrupp due to go and two others already on the market – Dryleaze Court, also in Wotton, and two properties in Ringfield Close in Nailsworth.

The site has previously been subject to various planning applications for residential development, with consent being previously granted for 14 homes.

Fortis Living has said the surrounding homes are being kept in mind within the planning process.

“It is important to consider existing properties around the site, giving these appropriate distances and reacting sensitively to the building materials palette they have set as a precedent,” it stated in a design statement produced by Quattro Design Architects.

“We have carefully considered the appropriate balance between providing the accommodation required and a scheme that is appropriate to its context, whilst respecting the character and appearance of the area.

“Key consideration points were raised to produce a scheme to reflect an appropriate use and scale of development on the site.

“The proposed scheme is for a development of up to 22 dwellings, ranging from 1 bed flatted units to 3 bed houses in order to satisfy local accommodation needs.”

Cllr Catherine Braun (Green), said the scheme was a “welcome investment in affordable housing.”

She stated that SDC would be contributing towards the development by using Right to Buy receipts from sales of council homes in a bid to provide new social housing in the district.

“It’s been many years since this project was first proposed, and people in our local area desperately need more affordable homes to rent,” she said.

“New housing development on small sites such as this one, can provide these much needed homes without further development outside the town boundary.

“SDC will be supporting Fortis Housing Association in this development, contributing up to 30 per cent of the expenditure, so that receipts from sales of council houses can be reinvested in affordable housing in the district.”

The mixture of homes proposed is 18 two-bed homes, fit for four people each, and four one-bed flats, designed for two people in each.