A PLANNING application for seven properties on land currently occupied by a car sales company in Tavistock has been submitted to West Devon Borough Council.

Tavistock agent EJFP Planning submitted an application on behalf of applicants Mr and Mrs Selley. The proposed build at 10 Ford Street, near to Drake’s Statue Memorial on Plymouth Road, is located on a brownfield site and could comprise six flats; four two-bed flats and two one-bed flats, one two-bed cottage and six car parking spaces.

If approved it will see DRB Sales demolished to make way for the homes.

Next to the proposed site is the current Churchill Retirement Living development on Plymouth Road, which saw the demolition of Harewood House, to make room for 48 one and two bedroom retirement apartments.

Two years ago an application was submitted by the owners for nine homes on the Ford Street site, which was rejected due to a primary concern from Historic England. The concern was dealt with and corrections were made and a subsequent full-planning application was submitted by the agent last month.

This current scheme had been subject of a pre-application consultation with Historic England.

In its report, Historic England said: ‘The site falls within the Tavistock Conservation Area as well as the World Heritage Site. Historic England commented on an earlier scheme for the site, which has resulted in this pre-application request. In our earlier response, we firmly supported the redevelopment of the site, which at present contributes very little to the conservation area of the WHS [World Heritage Site].’

It has been proposed to recreate the historic semi-detached dwelling with no. 9 Ford Street.

In the planning statement, the agent states: ‘The proposal will provide seven smaller units into the local housing market which will benefit younger people as well as older persons.

‘The application proposal has been the subject of consultation with Historic England and their input has also shaped the design of the proposed development.

‘The design of the proposed development has taken into account the characteristics of Tavistock, has considered the context of the site and its immediate environs and considered other developments on prominent brownfield sites.

‘It is considered that the development would enhance this part of Tavistock by providing a high-quality development.’

Consultation on this application ends on June 24.