A PLAN to build 40 homes in Fernhill Heath has moved a step closer.

Updated plans including the layout of the development, landscaping, drainage and the design of the new homes have been put forward after the plan was approved in principle by council planners in January.

A breakdown of the new development which will be built on land between Sling Lane and the Old Drive off Droitwich Road on the eastern edge of Fernhill Heath, includes seven four-bed, 17 three-bed, 11 two-bed and five one-bed homes.

One two-bed and one one-bed bungalows are included in the affordable home proportion of the development.

Around one hectare of green space is included in a triangle shape to the south of the homes away from Droitwich Road as well as short ‘buffer’ space between the homes and the A38.

The two hectare site is bordered by the A38 to the north and the grade II-listed Fernhill House and Hindlip House are nearby. Homes have already been built to the west and a number of fields border the site to the south.

The updated plans were submitted by Piper Homes to Wychavon District Council.

Councillor Tony Miller, who represents Lovett and North Claines on the district council, said he hoped the affordable housing was built a “sympathetic distance” from the existing homes to the east, when speaking to the planning committee in January.

The latest layout shows around half of the affordable housing is proposed to be built on the western border of the development next to the existing housing. The remaining affordable homes will be built to the north east of the site.

In line with the district council’s policy, around 40 per cent will be offered as affordable homes.

The site for the proposed development was specifically allocated for housing in the North Claines Development Plan.

Each one-bed home comes with a single parking space, two spaces for each two and three-bed home and three spaces for each four and five-bed home.

Consultation on the designs ends on June 20. The designs can be viewed via Wychavon District Council’s website.