Plans have come forward to replace a series of former garages in an Essex town with new social housing.

A planning application to build eight two-storey terraced homes for the provision of social housing in the Arkwright Garages site in Arkwrights, Harlow has been validated by Harlow District Council.

According to a design and access statement by McBains Ltd (MCB), on behalf of Harlow District Council, the Arkwrights Terraces development will consist of two separate buildings.

The site currently consists of former residential garages, which would be demolished if the scheme is approved, and a community garden and allotments to the south, which would be retained.

Read more: Harlow refuse workers set to vote on strike action

A section of the statement reads: “In view of the sustainable agenda at national and local levels, the proposals aim to achieve PassivHaus Premium standards and net zero carbon in use.”

A later section reads: “Arkwrights Terraces is essentially a social housing scheme comprising eight terraced houses surrounded by high quality shared and private amenity space.”

Vehicle access to the community garden will also be retained, the statement continues.

The site itself is just under 2,000sq m in size, and located in a residential area to the south east of Harlow.

Read more: Harlow regeneration could start in 12 months - and turn town into 'urban forest'

Arkwrights Play Area and Long Ley Sports Ground are both close to the site, providing green space and also connectivity via the community gardens.

There would be 16 parking spaces, two for each house, plus an additional space for the allotments. One parking space per house will have an electric charging point, the statement continues.

Solar panels will also be fitted to the roofs of the houses and each will have a south facing rear garden.

According to its website, Harlow Council is planning to build hundreds of new council houses over the coming years, with the first phase of its programme consisting of 99 homes completed between 2022 and 2024.

The council will likely decide on whether to approve the application later this year.