Plans for 147 new homes in the centre of Cheltenham will be discussed by the borough council's Planning Committee next week (August 15).

The plans have been submitted by Wavensmere Homes and BBS Capital for the redevelopment of the North Place car park.

Council officers are recommending the committee approves the plans.

A spokesperson for Wavensmere Homes said: "Designed by architects Glancy Nicholls, the £55m plans for Arkle Court are devised to complement the town's Regency architecture, whilst creating a sustainable new community in the heart of the town centre. 75 three-bedroom townhouses are proposed, together with 72 one- and two-bedroom apartments over a three/ four storey block."

Extending to over 3.5-acres, the plans to redevelop the site include multiple areas of landscaped open space, with the opportunity for a public art installation and provision for murals to be created as part of the Cheltenham Paint Festival. Vehicle, pedestrian and cycle access is from North Place.

In the report to the committee, officers note the main benefits of the scheme include:

• Provision of 147 residential units to Cheltenham's much needed housing stock

• Provision of 29 affordable housing units

• Redevelopment of the site which has remained in poor condition for many years and currently has a negative impact on the conservation area and setting of nearby heritage assets

• The public open space, ecological and bio-diversity enhancements included within the proposed landscaping proposals

• New pedestrian and cycle links and improved connectivity to the town centre and Brewery Quarter.

But whilst officers consider the scheme to be acceptable and largely compliant with planning policy, they note that there are some areas where the proposed development is in conflict with policy or results in some harm. These include:

• The loss of a protected tree

• Harm to designated heritage assets

• Minor amenity impacts

• Lack of additional infrastructure provisions or contributions, such as public open space, local play areas and allotments.

Cheltenham cannot currently demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply, so the development site is much needed.

Despite this, Cheltenham Civic Society has objected to the plans and said: "We appreciate the housing pressures on Cheltenham, but these cannot be used to justify a sub-standard scheme of this kind. Nor should the 40 years or so during which the site has lain undeveloped become an excuse to accept any scheme that comes along."

Ben Clarke, technical director of Wavensmere Homes, said: "We are delighted to see this allocated brownfield site recommended for approval, ahead of the planning committee meeting on 15th August. Our plans for Arkle Court will finally bring forward this long unloved eyesore and continue the renaissance of the wider St Paul's area.

"After extensive work with the planning department and statutory consultees, amended plans were submitted earlier this summer to address feedback on heritage and conservation impact to the Grade II* listed St Margaret's Terrace. We have consequently reduced the scale and mass of the apartment block and introduced a range of finer architectural details found locally.

"This important regeneration project is set to showcase what can be achieved when the borough council and developers work together to unlock complicated schemes for the benefit of Cheltenham."

Nick Spencer, director and co-founder at BBS Capital, said: "We are delighted to once again be working with Wavensmere Homes on a landmark project which is set to deliver new investment and jobs, while creating highly sustainable homes on brownfield land.

"We have made a commitment to provide 20% affordable housing on-site, along with a contribution of over £1m towards upgrades towards local education and libraries. In addition, a high proportion of the new homes will be aimed at first time buyers and young families, with attainable prices significantly below prime Cheltenham values.

"If the Arkle Court plans are given the green light, we will be able to deliver attainable, highly energy-efficient new homes. We very much hope to be able to break ground with the redevelopment of North Place within the coming months."

The redevelopment of the North Place car park will also connect Pittville Park on one side, through North Place, to the Brewery Quarter, the Lower High Street Poundland site - which will see a mixed-use redevelopment - through to The MX and Minster Gardens.

In 2013, the council awarded planning for a large supermarket and 143 new homes for the North Place site, which didn't go ahead.

Birmingham-based Wavensmere Homes is currently constructing three major urban regeneration schemes - in central Birmingham, Derby city centre and Ipswich.