Public consultation has begun concerning controversial council housing plans on the edge of Grantham.

South Kesteven District Council is seeking views on ambitions to build 21 x 1 bedroom 2 person flats, 12 x 2-bedroom 4 person houses and 2 x 4 bed 7 person houses off Larch Close close to the A1 Grantham by-pass.

The council said: "The 11,000sqm site sits surrounds Larch close and will comprise a North and South Development Site, connected by an enhanced green space footpath.

"Currently the land is informal green space, with the northern site receiving a village green status in 2007.

"The site is bordered by residential properties, a mix of terraced houses and flats, to the east, with industrial units to the north and south. The A1 is located approximately 35m to the west.

"Larch Close currently benefits from sound deadening bunding to the north and south which will be retained as part of the development proposal."

In its consultation, presented here online, SKDC says it seeks to develop the site to meet a variety of housing needs.

The council said: "Housing needs data for Grantham shows a huge demand for a mixture of properties. With a total need of 75 1,2- & 4-bedroom properties identified in the area, 28 of which are in the top two most urgent bands. (Data as of June 2021).

"By constructing the properties we need on a larger scale SKDC can unlock other properties in the area which leads to more residents being housed in properties built for their needs.

"Developing new homes in line with housing demand also helps to free up other, larger properties within the SKDC stock to ensure more of our residents have properties that suit their needs."

In addition to saying the development site is close to facilities including the Meres Centre and an Aldi supermaket off Harlaxton Road, SKDC also raised the issue of building on recreational land.

The council argued: "The terms of Village Green Status on land state that any development must be done with a view to the better enjoyment of such town or village green. As such it is our priority to enhance the space, to improve the outdoor enjoyment of the area with designated games areas and a nature walk connecting the sites.

"The north and south sites comprise a mixture of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom flats and houses. The building sizes have been designed to reflect surrounding properties with two storey properties in the south continuing onto the northern site, culminating in a 3-storey block near to the flats on Chestnut Grove/Trent Road.

"The scheme will also provide a formal Locally Equipped Area for Play and will retain around 5000sqm of green space, plus individual and communal gardens for the new properties.

"Properties will also have designated, and visitor parking and spaces will be retained on the northern site to accommodate existing on road parking."

Further details of the scheme can be found here.

SKDC says people have until Sunday August 8 to comment, which can be done here.

During this time it will be holding two drop in sessions at the Thames Road Community Centre on Tuesday 27 July and Tuesday 3 August between 9am and 7pm.

The council added once the planning application is submitted, people will have the opportunity to formally comment on the proposal with the SKDC planning department, information regarding the application will be published by the planning authority.

As this is a major planning application the Planning Authority must make a decision within the statutory time limit of 13 weeks. All SKDC developments are discussed at a planning committee, which residents will have the opportunity to attend and from here the decision will be made, it explained.

SKDC added the deadline for it to receive postal consultation responses is Friday 13 August.