PLANS have been revealed which could transform an area in the heart of Stroud.

The vicarage - located behind St Laurence's Church - could be replaced with a new purpose built one, alongside seven residential units.

Constructed in the late 1970s, the existing vicarage building has severe structural issues and has remained unoccupied for more than four years.

There are two proposals for the site - the first one includes a replacement vicarage, four semi-detached houses and two coach house units.

And the second one features the vicarage, five terraced houses and two coach house units.

Stroud based Vision Mill Architects have been creating designs for the site and they held a pre-application consultation last year with Stroud District Council.

Managing director Nick Mills said: "A replacement building was considered the best alternative for the site and in order to help finance the replacement vicarage a small scheme of market housing has been designed for the remainder of the site."

The housing has been designed in a similar way to the adjacent development that is currently under construction on Church Street, which was also outlined by Vision Mill Architects.

Resident John Copley Hammond, who lives close to the site, has voiced concerns about the plans.

He said: “I am deeply concerned that more overbearing properties are to be squeezed in by this developer.

"They are much too big and will overshadow the ancient buildings all around it.

"I have every trust that Stroud District Council planning department will be scrutinising these plans and ensure they listen to the concerns and objections of the local residents this time.”

Stroud Town Council said: "The town council’s consultations and highways working group received a pre-application presentation from Vision Mill architects at their meeting in September.

"Councillors agreed they would like to see a good quality carbon neutral development on the site. We look forward to seeing a full planning application."

An SDC spokesperson said: "A pre-application enquiry was received by our planning service for development on this site, however all pre application enquiries are not publicly available and we cannot comment on this further.

“No planning application has been submitted for this site but should one be made, it will be advertised in the normal way and will appear on our website at stroud.gov.uk where people will be able to register comments.”

Vision Mill Architects say comments on the plans are welcome at bit.ly/3HByimZ