Plans for 18 new homes for Winchcombe are expected to be approved next week.

The bid for redevelopment and conversion of Almsbury Farm Barns on Vineyard Street will be discussed by Tewkesbury Borough Council's planning committee on October 17.

If it gets the go-ahead, the scheme will provide a mixed residential and commercial development, of around 900 sqm of Class E commercial floor space and 18 new homes.

This proposal includes 14 new build houses to replace existing non-historic portal framed barns, with the remainder of the commercial units and four homes proposed through conversion and redevelopment of the existing traditional listed barns.

The plans also include demolition of non-historic contemporary portal framed barns and new car parking, landscaping and infrastructure.

The application incorporates the Grade II listed Almsbury Farmhouse and the adjacent Grade II listed farm buildings, which are in a derelict condition.

The proposed development will conserve and restore the listed buildings on site and remove the modern, unsightly agricultural sheds there. The applicant's Heritage Statement confirms that the proposed works have been designed to minimise harm to the buildings and give them a long-term viable use.

Winchcombe Town Council has objected to the proposal due to an increase in traffic on Vineyard Street from the new homes and proposed commercial uses of the main barn.

There have also been 11 representations expressing opposition to the application, including one from the Friends of Winchcombe, concerned about a number of issues, including the increased traffic, danger to pedestrians, development on a greenfield site and increase of light pollution.

Council officers recommend that the scheme be given the go-ahead, subject to fulfilling any planning conditions.