Plans to build 24 new apartments on the site of a former commercial building have been granted.

The council has approved the demolition of a former commercial building at 121-131 Bell Lane to make way for the apartments as well as a retail unit.

The site will also include 23 parking spaces and seven cycle spaces to accommodate transport demands.

The homes have been designed by Bolton-based architects Neil Pike and will include 15 bed bedroom units and nine one-bedroom units.

Three out of 24 units will be made available for affordable housing provision.

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Initial plans for the site would have seen 41 apartments built on the site, but this was reduced to 24 due to concerns around the scale of the project.

The site will be constructed in Lower Chesham, a Grade II listed area which was once the site of a large gentry house.

In a statement, Neil Pike architects said: “The design concept is to create a contemporary and visually appealing apartment complex that complements the existing urban fabric.

“The development will consist of a single building, occupying the footprint of the original building, to the front of the site.

"The rear of the site will be used for car parking, along with the extent of land to the side, enabling access, refuse collection and additional parking provision.

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"The proposed building comprises of five floors, carefully designed to respect the scale and character of the neighbouring properties.”

Due to the proposed developments proximity to large supermarkets, including Aldi, it is expected that the retail unit will be occupied by a "small, independent non-food operator" such as a hairdresser, beautician, or clothing store.

While the exact date for the commencement of the development is not yet known, the applicant must begin construction within three years of planning permission being granted.