Public consultation for proposed new housing development in Ludlow announced
A public consultation for a new housing development in Ludlow town centre will take place on 9th February.
The public is invited to meet the developer Purcell who is leading the Stone House site regeneration between 4.30pm and 7.00pm at The Feathers Hotel, Ludlow.
The £8m investment into the town centre will provide 25 new family homes.
The scheme was submitted to Shropshire Council for planning permission and was registered on Friday 8th January.
Located within a conservation area and adjacent to the Grade II* listed Stone House, the proposed new development is designed to complement the town’s historic buildings. The 25 dwellings are a mix of period-style town houses, Arts and Crafts inspired cottages and apartments and includes three affordable housing units as part of the development. Shared formal gardens, private amenity space, residential and visitor parking space and bicycle storage space form part of the proposal.
The one-acre site is currently occupied by a former council office building dating from the 1980s and its associated large car park. There is a subterranean bunker beneath the main office block that was built as a nuclear shelter for council use in event of emergency. A heritage assessment of the entire site completed by Purcell’s expert heritage team concluded that these buildings and the disused bunker do not contain historically significant features. Purcell proposes to demolish the office building and fill in the bunker as part of the enabling works.
The new homes are designed to be highly energy efficient and built with traditional materials. Inspired by Ludlow’s local architecture, the buildings will be traditionally rendered in earthy pastel colours with red and grey roof tiles. Architectural details include stone heads and cils and distinctive feature banding which is commonly seen in the town. Period moulded doors and black painted metal railing complete the period look of the houses.
New formal gardens and a central amenity space are a major focus of the scheme. All of the existing trees will be retained and additional plants selected to help increase the biodiversity of the town centre.
Development Director, James Sanderson commented: “This is the first significant new residential development in Ludlow for many years and will provide high quality family housing in the town centre.”
Mal Price, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for Planning, said: “This consultation is an ideal opportunity for residents to express their views on the proposed developments. This proposal is in keeping with the cultural heritage of the Ludlow area while at the same time providing much needed affordable housing.”
The outcome of the planning application is expected to be announced in April 2016. Subject to approval, the project team will start enabling works immediately and it is anticipated the project would be completed by summer 2017.
