Five luxury houses could be built which have been inspired by a ruined manor house nearby.

Bower Mapson Homes, and the landowners, brother and sister Astrid and Erik Broderstad have put in proposals to build five large family homes on the site of Abbey Gardens, in the plot of land formed by the corner of Lady Lane and the road to St Andrew’s Church in Blunsdon St Andrews.

The plans submitted show all the houses would have five bedrooms, some across two floors, as well as several bathrooms and toilets.

And, if planning permission is granted then the houses will have a distinctive style, harking back more than 150 years to the mid-19th century Manor House which stands nearby.

The application says: “We were inspired by the grand house to the east of our site, with its steep gables and stone materials with architectural stonework around the windows, steep roof lines, giving a gracious feel to the grand house.

“Even though not being able to be lived in, it sits proudly, showing design elements that do not lose their potency withstanding the test of time.

“Accordingly, we have used the same designs steep gables and roof pitches as well as similar materials; stone for the walls with architectural stonework around the windows.”

Drawings show that the existing Abbey Gardens house, which is accessed from Lady Lane and sits behind a wrought iron gate and stone wall, would remain standing.

The five new houses would be arranged to the north-east and south, with the first house being next to Lady Lane, and the other four sited in a line to the rear of the whole plot.

A new access would be created for the houses from Main Drive which gives onto Lady Lane. The application says: “The new road within the site is laid out as a shared surface to encourage low vehicle speeds and create an environment in which pedestrians can walk without feeling intimidated by motor traffic.

The applicants say the houses will be sustainable with solar panels and battery storage to use the power generated installed on all five.

The application also points out there are primary and secondary schools less than two miles from the site and shops, and cafes and other facilities nearby.

The deadline for comments on the proposals is Thursday, May 2. Comments may be made through swindon.gov.uk planning portal using reference S/24/0226.