A new development that will see "23 affordable housing units" built on the site of an existing Epsom Downs estate has been granted planning permission.

The new homes will be situated at the Chavescroft area, Board Walk, in Epsom Downs, and also include "associated amenity space, landscaping, car and cycle parking" according to the proposals, which were green-lit by Banstead and Reigate Council after a consultation process earlier this year.

They will replace the existing Chavescroft housing estate which is now set to be demolished to make way for the two new blocks that will contain the 23 new properties.

Property consultants Carter Jonas, who worked with developers Raven Housing Trust on the planning permission, said the existing estate "doesn’t meet required quality standards and has been underutilised, as the accommodation no longer meets local housing need."

They said the new space will see five 3 bed houses, seven 1 bed flats and eleven 2 bed flats introduced.

Additionally, the plans provide for "33 new parking spaces, 5 new garages and 11 of the existing parking spaces will be re-provided" plus "private amenity spaces for the residents’ use, and improvements to the existing open spaces", Carter Jonas said.

Jessica McSweeney, Partner in Carter Jonas’ London office added: "The quality of the existing accommodation on this site was no longer fit for purpose and was in desperate need of investment.

"We were delighted to work with Raven and help achieve planning permission for a high quality, 100 per cent affordable scheme which will provide homes to those who would otherwise be priced out of the local market".

The plans however received a number of public comments from residents expressing their opposition at the proposals.

"The area is overcrowded already and I can't get my son's wheelchair along the pavements. There is not enough parking provided with this plan which will lead to an increase in anti-social parking. This makes for a bad feeling in the area," Epsom resident Samantha commented on the council website.

Fellow Epsom resident Tamsin meanwhile described the plans as "excellent" but also expressed concerns:

"Although I think the plans are excellent I would like to see far more tree cover, leylandii or high hedges on the boundary between the rear of my property and the new development. There are currently very tall elderflower trees and an attractive flowering tree which give us, and Chavecroft flats, privacy and shade. I imagine these will be removed. I am also very concerned about having my rear fence open to a car parking area with associated noise, fumes and security risk," she wrote.

Nevertheless, if completed the houses will likely address a wider housing crisis faced by borough councils across the country, who have steep housing targets set by central government amid a nationwide shortage.