PLANS for ten new family homes following the demolition of a Southampton timber yard have been submitted to civic chiefs.

A proposal for ten houses to replace units 29- 31 on Vespasian Road, two studio units and Bamptons Timber Merchant, has been put to Southampton City Council.

The building is currently used as two residential flats above 31, offices at ground floor level for the timber yard and the residential property at 29.

The proposed is to provide a residential use as in keeping with the area and as to provide family houses.

The proposal, therefore, increases the residential units by eight, while removing the timber yard.

Access to the moorings to the rear will be retained via the walkways to the side.

The first three houses will be two-storeys high and the seven homes towards the rear of the site will be four levels in height with a low ground floor for a garage.

All ten homes will be built with red brick, with the three houses at the front of the site having slate roof tiles and the seven houses at the back having "high performance" flat roofs with parapet.

The plans state that the new homes will assimilate with the street along Vespasian while the rear houses will take on a more contemporary form with large areas of glazing fronting the river.

The proposals also say that the houses will be "far less bulky than the larger blocks of flats" and each new home will have a cycle store internally at ground floor level along with a cycle store accessed from the carport.

In a statement submitted to the council, it reads: "The proposal would be in keeping with the site and surrounding properties and would not have a harmful impact on the amenities of the neighbouring properties.

"Where appropriate planning conditions can be imposed to mitigate any harm identified.

"An exciting opportunity to deliver family housing in a waterside location and enhance upon the street scene as exists."