Developers have returned with plans to build houses on the site of a former bingo hall and cinema, in Littleport.

Buckingham and Sparrow have resubmitted plans to build four detached four-bedroom houses in Hempfield Road, on the former site of The Regal.

The development could also include garaging, parking and access drives.

The move comes less than three months after Buckingham and Sparrow decided to withdraw a first set of plan for four houses on the site.

The withdrawal came after East Cambridgeshire District Council’s conservation officer, Rebecca Saunt, labelled the plans “quite dated” and “tame”.

She said: “As the site is effectively a blank canvas, it should be viewed as an opportunity to do something really interesting.

“Unfortunately, the proposed design of the dwellings would do little to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the street scene.

“The design appears to be quite dated and, whilst an attempt has been made to use a more contemporary design approach, this has been very tame and does not go far enough.”

In 2013, Buckingham and Sparrow offered to donate The Regal and its car park to Littleport Parish Council.

The developer offered the building for the community in return for the district council waiving a requirement for it to build affordable homes on a 60-home development it was working on near the Highfields estate.

Every developer who constructs more than three houses in East Cambridgeshire is required to turn 30 per cent of the development over to affordable housing.

But despite support from the parish council and a local campaign, the offer was refused by the district council.