NEARLY 30 apartments, along with shops, could be built in Bishop’s Waltham.

Plans by Country Homes Guildford are for 28 flats and five ground floor shops near Malt Lane, on the site of Foxes garden machinery, writes Ella Griffiths.

The scheme also includes a replacement NHS facility and a replacement youth hall following the demolition of the existing buildings.

The development at the junction with Winchester Road would also include 44 car parking spaces, 28 of which would be assigned to the apartments.

A report submitted alongside the planning application states no affordable housing is viable at the site.

A company spokesman said: “The application is a result of a number of public consultations where over 100 local residents expressed their views as to how best to proceed and which showed a clear majority in favour of a traditional approach to design.

“This has been taken onboard by local architects Studio 4, who have produced an approach that reflect the many differing architectural style that make up the town.

“The shopping element will offer the opportunity to extend visually the town square along the Winchester Road frontage and by the incorporation small units, with individually designed shop fronts, to reflect the existing eclectic architectural style of the town centre.”

There will be a further period for public consultation and discussions are already proceeding with the trustees of the Youth Hall as to the specification for new facilities.

Following preliminary archaeological work, it is hoped that construction will start towards the end of the year.

A decision is due on the application by Winchester City Council by Thursday April 26.