Nine new homes plan for car park in Rayne Road, Braintree

A bid has gone in to construct the cottages on land behind the former solicitors’ building Gordon House in Rayne Road, Braintree.

The blocked off car park, which has room for up to 60 vehicles, has become overgrown and developer Karlin Homes says building the cottages will boost nearby businesses.

Its planning application says: “The proposal looks to improve the availability of smaller homes in the town centre, enabling home owners to access the town centre train station and all facilities by foot instead of vehicle reliance.

“There will also be more in town local spending from the householders and added to the recent approval of Cox’s Yard, a neighbouring site, the town centre will benefit.”

An artist's impression of how the Rayne Road cottages could look

The cottages plan is the latest in a line of applications which have been submitted for derelict buildings in Rayne Road.

In March, permission was granted to demolish an old car showroom and build 12 flats in its place at the neighbouring Cox’s Yard.

Five new flats have also been approved for Gordon House and the smaller coach house under a general permitted development order.

Another planning application submitted last May to build ten apartments on the car park site has now been withdrawn.

If the bid is approved, this is how the cottages would probably be laid out

According to the documents: “The site has always been agreed in discussion with Braintree District Council planning officers as an appropriate residential development opportunity.

“However, the earlier proposal was not favoured on design and heritage grounds.”

Some of the homes, which will be built across four separate buildings, will be smaller than two storeys.

The application adds: “The site is deliverable and all matters are now, it is believed, covered.

“We would hope that the scheme can be supported and this town centre development can be achieved within a very short period.”

Braintree Council will decide on the plans.