DESIGNS for 45 homes in Eastcott are “incompatible” with the historic area, residents say.

SN Developments want to build the flats on the former Stagecoach bus depot site on Eastcott Hill.

But residents say the plans are not in keeping with the conservation area, will bring parking problems, safeguarding concerns for a nearby school and could see work done on a site contaminated from decades of industrial use.

In plans submitted to the council in October, SN Developments have proposed a courtyard design, with seven blocks. They will provide a single parking space for each home, with a total of 45 new cycle parking spaces.

The proposals follow a bid in 2015 by firm Churchill Retirement Living to build 61 retirement flats.

It failed when councillors voted against it, after planning officers said the scheme would not fit in with its historic surroundings.

At a meeting at Judith Hockaday’s School of Dance this week, residents slammed the new proposals on similar grounds.

Michael Gray, a local architect, said: “For me, it’s still not a scheme that’s compatible with it being a conservation area. From a heritage point of view it’s completely nonsensical.”

Those at the meeting said they were not against the development of the site, but that the proposed courtyard design would not be in keeping with the area.

Mr Gray suggested that houses on a grid plan would be more appropriate for the tight packed historic area around Prospect Hill.

A grid scheme was put forward by London architects Allies and Morrison in master-planning work commissioned from them by the borough council, he said.

“We’re trying to steer it towards a development we like,” Mr Gray told the meeting.

Locals warned that the proximity of the flats to the school would present safeguarding concerns, while visitors’ cars could cause problems in neighbouring streets.

Others suggested that the height of the proposed blocks – twice the size of some current buildings on site – could cause light problems. One woman said: “What this area is not is an area with three storey buildings.”

In a covering letter to the borough’s planners, SN Developments’ agent OSP Architecture said their plans, “preserve the conservation area, not only retaining the two most important heritage assets (the machine engineering shed and the walls hounding the site) but improving their setting and the public’s appreciation of them.”

Although current proposals do not include any affordable housing provision, the developers said this would follow the outcome of a “viability report” and discussions with the council.

Councillors have expressed concerns with the current plans.

Coun Paul Dixon said that he wanted the site developed, but that it needed to be “in keeping” with the Eastcott community.

“I am concerned that the current plan from the developer does not appear to have taken on board the comments and issues raised by residents about the previous proposal,” he said.

“I would like the developer to consider how they can address concerns from residents about the impact on local heritage and how they will deal with contamination on this site.

“I hope the developer will listen and continue to engage so that we get a scheme that is acceptable to local residents.”

Fellow Eastcott ward councillor David Wood added: “This is about having the right number of houses for the site, since unfortunately it was not possible to extend the nearby school onto the site.

“However, I am opposed to this plan as the buildings will be at the edges of the site, will overshadow nearby properties and will not look in keeping with the conservation area.

“Sadly, the developer refused to agree to a local public meeting with residents to work on and compromise on the issues. However, they are coming along to the next parish planning meeting so we can make our case to them.”

SN Developments were approached for comment.