NEW housing plans for a controversial site have been drawn up.

Proposals to build 25 homes at Churchtown Farm, St Stephens sparked objections when they were mooted in 2015.

Now a new application from developer Project Management Southwest is for just 16 dwellings - 12 of them to be self-built homes. The other four will be affordable homes.

The new proposal has won backing from Saltash Town Council at a meeting last week and will now be considered by Cornwall Council.

In their application for outline planning permission, the developers say: ‘The previously approved application showed up to 25 two-storey houses but the developers considered this was too much for the site and wanted to reduce the impact on the area both in terms of traffic to and from the site but also in views across the site and the setting within the village.

‘The inclusion of self-build provides an opportunity for residents to acquire the site and design (following the design code) and build their own property.’

The new application is for mainly dormer bungalows and just one two-storey dwelling.

Developers have already distributed a leaflet about the proposals to more than 50 local properties, and held an informal meeting with residents in June.

They say: ‘The proposal has been well received and local neighbours have given good feedback with regard to the reduced impact the proposal would bring compared to the currently approved application.’

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

A plan to convert two barns on the site into offices and a dwelling respectively is also due to be submitted.