A number of historic furniture factory buildings could be demolished to make way for hundreds of new apartments in High Wycombe. 

Plans have been submitted to create 227 one and two bedroom flats on land including Commercial Square, Leigh Court, Wheelers Yard and the Birch, Malvern and Llanberis Houses in Leigh Street - but if they are given the go-ahead, some historic buildings could be bulldozed. 

The site stands in the Leigh Street Furniture Heritage Conservation Area.

Birch House would be converted and extended to provide 85 homes, while three new blocks containing 145 flats would be built. The estate would also have basement and multi-storey car parking and improvement works would be made the Leigh Street. 

Birch House was once home to WM Birch Limited, manufacturers of high-quality arts and craft furniture. The original three-storey factory was newly built when acquired by Birch's in 1901.

The building has been empty for nearly 20 years and has been described as "run down" by the developers. 

While the redevelopment of the site could “bring retail spend” to help sustain shops in the Desborough area and the Eden Centre, according to developers, concerns have been raised over a lack of parking spaces - less than one per flat - and a “limited mix” of only one and two bed flats. 

The High Wycombe Society says “on balance” they approve of the plans, because Birch House is in a “parlous” state and needs urgently rescuing. 

Andrew Taylor, on behalf of the society, said: "This scheme is important in that it preserves Birch House, one of the last and best remnants of High Wycombe's furniture making past, and brings a deteriorating site back into full use.

"While we are disappointed with the lack of affordable housing, we recognise the cost implications of restoring Birch House and note that WDC will be reporting in due course on project viability."

Meanwhile, some residents living on nearby Green Street complained that the plans will making parking on their road difficult.

The plans will go before Wycombe District Council’s planning committee on October 18.