NEW homes and a car park could be built at a former 'unsightly' service station in Radcliffe.

Plans have been submitted for five three-storey properties and associated parking at Outwood Gate Farm, in Ringley Road West.

Applicant Big Build Homes Ltd is seeking to construct five "town house style family homes".

The properties, located near the junction with Outwood Road, would each have four bedrooms. A total of 16 parking spaces have also been requested, including two at each property.

In a design and access statement, agent John Holt Architects Ltd, said: "Historically the site accommodated a petrol filling station with associated vehicle maintenance workshops and, as such, is a brownfield site.

"The garage was demolished a number of years ago, with all buildings and associated petrol storage tanks having been completely removed.

"The proposal seeks to utilise an existing redundant plot of land which is becoming increasingly unsightly.

"The proposed houses are substantial family homes which benefit from generous gardens and amenity space around each of them."

In March 2006, planning permission was granted for the use of the site to be changed from a filling station to category A3 — a restaurant — with associated landscaping and car parking.

In 2013, the current applicant submitted plans for an outline application to change the use from restaurant to residential.

Planning consent was granted in October 2013, however the approval has since lapsed, prompting the latest application.

"This proposal would have no greater impact on the openness of the greenbelt than the previous extant development", John Holt Architects wrote.

"It is envisaged that in the current economic climate and the rising need for new homes on a national basis, that the site would be more ideally suited and indeed, more marketable, for residential development."

Proposed access would be via the original road and pavement, into a cul-de-sac serving each of the properties. A 1.2m wide footpath would be included on both sides of the new roadway.

To view the plans, search application reference 63701 at https://planning.bury.gov.uk/online-applications/.