Hightown Housing Association (HA) has submitted plans to build affordable homes on the site of an empty office block in Hertfordshire.

Proposals include developing shops, green space, and nearby public transport in Maylands, Hemel Hempstead.

The housing development will consist of 87 one and two-bedroom flats across four blocks on the Viking House site in Swallowdale Lane.

Other features include a central landscaped amenity area and courtyard.

The plans have been submitted to Dacorum Borough Council.

If the development is granted approval, work could start in 2016 with the first residents moving into their new homes at the end of 2017.

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The work will involve demolishing Viking House which was originally built for Atlas Copco in the 1970's.

It has been used as office accommodation for a variety of firms, until it was purchased by Hightown in 2014.

The proposed development will replace the outdated building with 'fresh, contemporary' architecture.

The road access from Redbourn Road will lead into a courtyard surround by three four-storey blocks, rising to a nine-storey block creating a 'landmark' corner building.

The site will also include 96 parking spaces.

The central landscaped space will be the focus of the development and offer recreational space, with existing trees on the perimeter of the site being retained where possible.

Additional pedestrian access will also be provided from Swallowdale Lane.

Hightown Development Director, George Edkins, said: "There's a vital need for more affordable housing in Hemel Hempstead, and we want to help people who cannot afford to rent or buy their own home because of current market rates.

"In the last few years we have invested nearly £43m in building nearly 300 homes around the town centre of Hemel Hempstead. Our plans to build new homes on the site of redundant office buildings at Maylands Plaza, and now Viking House, will deliver a further 200 homes in Maylands."

(LM)