PLANS to build 138 homes on land near to the Siemens factory in Poole have been submitted to the council.

East Street Developments is seeking permission to build a combination of houses and flats on the site of a former industrial estate in Sopers Lane.

Part of the site was previously occupied by a factory owned by Poole Pottery. In 2011, it was demolished.

If the scheme is approved by town planners, 104 one and two-bed apartments will be built, as well as 34 two, three and four-bed houses.

Developers propose to provide 60 allocated parking spaces – one for each two-bed house and two for every three and four-bed house – and 106 unallocated spaces for the flats. There would also be 28 visitor parking spaces throughout the development.

A number of bike storage areas would be provided for cyclists.

DHA Architecture, which has drawn up initial designs for the scheme, wrote in a design and access statement: “The high quality of design applied to this development is an important factor in encouraging residents to have a sense of ownership and responsibility towards their locality, and contributing to the local sense of community.

“In developing this site, East Street Developments is seeking to remove an unsightly derelict site and create a new environment which enhances both the landscape and the built character of the neighbourhood, delivering sustainable development for Poole,” it added.

The scheme also promises to provide “attractive open space opportunities for visual amenity and recreation, as well as enhancing the biodiversity of this site.”

Although the council’s Core Strategy aims for a benchmark of 40 per cent affordable housing in all developments of six or more dwellings, no affordable homes will be included in the proposed development.

Property consultants Gerald Eve explain in the planning application that “any affordable housing contribution levied will be too onerous on the proposed scheme and will impede the deliverability of the development.”

Residents in the area have yet to comment on the scheme, but John Green, crime prevention and design advisor for Dorset Police, said the ‘cul-de-sac’ layout would “hopefully reduce the chance of criminals simply passing by.”

However, he added: “In the bottom corner of the site, the risk of noise pollution for residents is minimal, but the lack of surveillance may encourage antisocial behaviour.”

He also raised concerns over the siting of communal parking areas.

“I am not convinced that car owners will feel encouraged to park their cars on the side of a cul-de-sac quite some distance from their homes and with no obvious security lighting,” he said.