JUBILANT residents could get the development they have been calling for as plans for new houses in Somerford are submitted.

After years of battling with housing association Sovereign over a scheme residents labelled a ‘Lego Land ghetto’, the community won their fight to have the controversial proposals for 32 new properties withdrawn.

Frustrated residents called for more sympathetic development of the area, with Somerford Community Association applying for village green status to protect it. But now, after months of working with developers and architects as well representatives from the housing association, a new set of plans have been drawn up by local architect Matt Stevens from Aspire Architects.

The proposal is for 27 new homes and the retention of the green belt with the demolition of the existing 24 homes.

The homes will consist of two two-bedroom bungalows, three three-bedroom houses, eight two-bedroom houses, 10 two-bedroom flats and four one-bedroom flats.

Mr Stevens, who has created the new scheme, said in a design and access statement: “Although this scheme was allowed at appeal, it created some local concern.

“The concerns were not about the principle of redevelopment, but more about the design, materials and loss of the existing green.

This has led to this new proposal being put together which keeps the green, and this has also encouraged the close working relationship between Sovereign and the local community groups and stakeholders.”

The plans were unveiled at a community event recently where the majority of comments about the scheme were overwhelmingly positive.

The only concerns were over a possible increase in traffic in Edward Road and the distance between the new properties and gardens to the existing properties in Edward Road.