A DERELICT development of bedsits and bungalows could be demolished to make way for 43 new homes in Somerford.

Plans have been submitted to Christchurch Borough Council for the development on the site of Strete Mount, a Sovereign Housing Association complex.

The new properties would include four one-bedroom flats, 21 two-bedroom houses and 12 three-bedroom houses.

A total of 46 existing homes would be demolished.

The site has been left empty since residents moved out last year, with a consultation on the future plans for the site held with residents.

The feedback from the public was “very positive” and helped to create a “well-considered and high quality housing scheme,” the application’s design and access statement said.

All the houses will have private gardens, with housing chiefs saying the mixture of house sizes will cater for singles, couples and families.

Guy Palmer, Sovereign’s development manager, said: “The new homes will be a mixture of flats and houses available at an affordable rent or for shared ownership and, subject to approval, we hope to get started on site early next year.

“This application continues our commitment to providing new quality and affordable homes in the area.”

Christchurch-based Aspire Architects have partnered Sovereign in the plans once again, after joining forces with them on previous Somerford developments.

In March, £90,000 in cash was found under a bed at a derelict property on the development – the day before firefighters torched the site during a training exercise. And windows had to be boarded up after vandals attacked the housing complex, leaving it with fire damage and graffiti.

Police officers also issued a warning, with Sovereign saying they had been forced to increase security measures at the site.

Strete Mount is the third site that Sovereign is developing as part of a raft of redevelopment in the Somerford area.

As well as the plans for Strete Mount, proposals to redevelop the community centre on Southey and Amethyst Roads have been approved for affordable housing, with a new community centre, the Somerford Alliance Resource Centre, opened in June 2014.