CHANGES TO a housing development in Bridgnorth will be a ‘blot on the landscape’ after family homes were replaced with a larger block of flats and detached houses, the town’s Civic Society said.
Charles Church West Midlands has resubmitted plans for phase two of its building work on Kings Court, which is situated at the former Bridgnorth College site, by adding more two-bedroomed flats and four-bedroomed houses – a move criticised by the town’s Civic Society.
Managing director Steven Hird said the revised scheme provided a balanced mix that would appeal to the Bridgnorth market.
Under the new plans 33 three-bedroomed, semi-detached or terrace houses, would be reduced to 21. Apartments would increase from 24, in a three-storey block of flats, to 39, in a part-four-storey block.
Detached houses would increase from three to 12, meaning the number of units overall could rise from 62 to 74.
Phase one saw nine three-bedroomed mews and semi-detached properties completed.
An open day is being held on Saturday for people to view the homes.
But the Bridgnorth Civic Society chairman Dr Chris Jephcott said the changes went against local housing needs and the flats might soon become a blot on the landscape.
“We deplore the change from a good mix of residential units to a preponderance of two-bed flats together with larger detached houses,” he said.
“The Civic Society wishes to object to this new application because of the visual impact of the dominant four-storey block in important views.”
Mr Hird said he had been in discussions with the Shropshire Council’s planning department, which considered the changes acceptable.
He said: “The main apartment block does increase in storey height in part, with an increase of eight units.
“We have also replanned an area of the site adjacent to Aldi, with a small block of six apartments, which are three storeys in height.
“This block replaced a pair of three bedroom semi-detached houses.
“We believe the revised scheme provides a balanced market mix that will appeal to the Bridgnorth market.”
Estate agent Charles Church is hosting two open days on Saturday, from 11am until 5pm.
As well as the official opening of the Kings Court site people can view a new five-bedroomed show home on the Wenlock Edge development, Hazeldine Way, Bridgnorth.