PLANS to demolish a recently closed car dealership and build more than 30 homes have hit a snag after Stroud District Council ‘called in’ the proposals.

The proposed redevelopment of the former Ford dealership site in London Road will be now be further scrutinised by SDC who have ‘called in’ the plans.

This comes after Stroud Town Council's consultations and highways committee – plus concerned local residents - recently submitted objections to the plans.

In July Bristol Street Motors situated in London Road closed its doors for good - the site had been used for the motor trade for six decades. 

In May plans were submitted to SDC to build 35 residential dwellings, two vehicular access points - one off London Road and another off Arundell Mill Lane plus open space. 

According to the plans the properties would entail 9 three-bed houses, 17 two bed apartments plus 9 one-bed maisonettes. 

There would also be 45 parking spaces - 26 to be allocated for flats/maisonettes, 18 for houses and 5 for unallocated visitors. 

Key issues raised in the town council committee’s response include the 'lack of affordable housing provision', 'insufficient electric vehicle charging points', 'potential flood risk from water flowing down the hill and not draining properly' plus 'inadequate bin storage and lack of access for refuse vehicles, forcing collection from the main road'. 

In addition, the three Trinity Ward Town Councillors requested that SDC formally "call in" the application, requiring it to go before the council's development control committee for determination.

A letter to the town council committee chair read: "Thank you for your council's request to call in the planning application to the development control committee.

"I have discussed your request with the head of development management and have agreed that this application will go to Stroud District Council's development control committee for determination."

The date for when the application will be heard by the committee has not yet been set.

A planning statement, prepared by Pegasus Group on behalf of Altus Homes, read: "The proposed development has been carefully designed to make efficient use of the land and respect its position on the outskirts of the town centre and within the built- up urban area.

"The design has had regard to the site’s location in the built- up urban area, but also in proximity of the Cotswolds AONB and conservation areas in Stroud.

"It has been carefully designed to integrate into the street scene and to take account of the levels changes across the site, whilst also considering potential effects on nearby residential amenity, privacy concerns and overlook. 

"The application proposes the redevelopment of a brownfield site in a sustainable, urban location.

"The development proposals would be an efficient and effective use of this under utilised site."

Search for S.24/0826/FUL on the SDC to see the plans or visit - tinyurl.com/3j6uz9uf