Homes demolition is approved as new housing on the way
» PLANS to demolish 24 homes built in the Cotswolds after the Second World War and replace them with 28 affordable homes have been approved.
Bromford Housing Association has been granted permission by Cotswold District Council to go ahead with the development at Stockwells in Moretonin-marsh.
The plans include demolishing the existing non-traditional houses and maisonettes and building a mixture of two bed and three-bedroom houses.
Consultants working on the scheme say the proposed new homes will each be provided with a rear garden which will be of a similar size to existing gardens.
They also want to keep a degree of openness to the front of the houses keeping the sense of space currently experienced along either side of Stockwells.
The developer says the new properties are also designed to respect the character and appearance of the area.
However, the town council raised concerns over flooding and said it could exacerbate the risk to the existing properties.
Planning officers recommended approving the scheme as it will provide more energy efficient and sustainable affordable homes for local people.
And a statement by ward councillor Rachel Coxcoon (Lib Dem, Moreton East) was read out in favour of the proposals during the planning committee meeting on December 8.
She said Stockwells is an iconic and well known street in the town and the proposals were for “genuinely sustainable” homes at affordable rent.
Councillor Andrew Maclean (Green, The Rissingtons) commended Bromford Housing for bringing their proposals forward.
“It’s an excellent development,” he said.
However, Councillor Sue Jepson (Con, Blockley) said the design was not in keeping at all with the Cotswolds.
“In 20 years time this is going to look absolutely terrible. The design that is there at the moment blends in and the gardens are bigger,” she said.
Councillor Mark Harris (Lib Dem, Abbey) proposed approving the scheme and this was seconded by Councillor Juliet Layton (Lib Dem, South Cerney Village).
The planning committee voted to approve the proposals by ten votes to one.