HALSTEAD Town Council is set to discuss plans to build 34 homes on the outskirts of the town.

The council will consider the application in the upcoming meeting next Monday.

Plans outline an application for 34 homes, including 24 market properties and ten affordable units, with permission sought for access and drainage.

The plans are on land to the north and west of Halstead Hall, with the site being served via the existing access from the A131.

It is the second phase of wider plans for Halstead Hall by company Stow Healthcare.

The application forms part of a package of three proposals, two of which have already been planned.

The development of 20 homes to the south of the site adjacent to Russell’s Road was granted in June last year.

Plans to convert Green Lodge to a 25-bedroom dementia unit were also outlined, however, a further application was submitted to amend the proposals to provide for the conversion and restoration of part of the building and its enlargement to provide a 37-bed dementia unit.

Halstead Gazette: The Green Lodge building has fallen into disrepair (Picture: Stow Healthcare)The Green Lodge building has fallen into disrepair (Picture: Stow Healthcare) (Image: Stow Healthcare)

The site adjoins the Halstead Hall Care Home which was purchased by the applicant in late 2017.

It is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 65 elderly people and people with dementia-related needs.

The company says there is already a need to see the care unit built.

The application says: “It was a failing home and in critical danger of being closed by the Care Quality Commission due to poor standards of care.

“The applicant, therefore, purchased the site with the aim of improving the existing facility to provide high-quality care, as well as expand the care offered on-site to include a separate dementia unit.”

Halstead Town Council previously objected to the 20-homes plan, with concerns raised about the town being unable to cope with further residents who would depend on Halstead’s infrastructure.

It said at the time: “The dementia unit might well be needed, but it should not be linked in any way to the commercial development of 20 residential properties.”

The town council cannot turn down the plans, but its view will be taken into account by Braintree Council when it makes a ruling.