Plans for up to 170 new homes to provide much needed housing in Christchurch have been lodged with the council.
John Reid & Son Ltd (REIDsteel) has applied to Christchurch Borough Council for outline planning permission for the development.
The homes are proposed for the 130-strong company’s four acre site in Reid Street after it relocates to a new, state-of-the-art facility.
They are a mixture of two and three bedrooms houses and one and two bedroom flats with access roads and parking.
REIDsteel – which celebrates its centenary this year – has taken feedback into account after it consulted with local people, business, councillors and community groups about its proposals last October.
Simon Boyd, who is managing director of REIDsteel, said: “REIDsteel is committed to leaving a legacy of much-needed housing when we leave our current home of more than 50 years.
“We have listened to comments made about our initial proposals and consulted with our professional advisors before drawing up our outline planning application.
“If approved, this plan will allow us to relocate to a purpose-built site where we can invest in the latest technology and significantly increase productivity with all operations under one roof.
“It will remove heavy industry away from the town centre, cut heavy traffic movements from Reid Street, reduce noise and disruption for neighbours and allow us to reduce our carbon footprint.”
Simon added: “We are pleased to reach this important stage with our plans to help our business grow while allowing the regeneration of a key site in Christchurch.”
The outline planning application for up to 170 homes is a reduction from up to 220 set out at the consultation event last October.
It includes access roads, car parking, landscaping, communal gardens and higher storeys placed away from neighbouring housing.
Findings from a questionnaire at the event last November showed that more than 60 per cent of respondents were in favour or strongly in favour of the removal of industrial use from the site and thought housing was the best use once REIDsteel had relocated.
Nearly three-quarters of respondents rated the overall approach to the design and layout of the housing as very good, good or fair.
REIDsteel has the capacity to design, manufacture and supply entire steel buildings – including their cladding and glazing – anywhere in the UK, Europe and across the World. It has exported to more than 140 countries to date.
It spends £2m in the local supply chain on top of salaries for its staff, many who live in the Christchurch area.
It is aiming to relocate its operations within the boundaries of Christchurch Borough Council. It has not yet announced its preferred location for its new site.
The planning application is due to go before planners for a decision in April.
REIDsteel is a four times winner of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise (International Trade) and sponsors local schools’ membership of the Dorset Young Chamber programme.
Visit www.reidsteel.com for more details.