BUILDING flats on the corner of two residential roads in Petersfield would be "putting a quart in a pint pot" and could increase anti-social behaviour in the area, it has been claimed. Developers want to build two blocks of apartments at the junction of Barham Road and King George Avenue in the town. But it would mean creating a path behind the flats – a proposal which residents say could lead to "shouting, screaming and bad behaviour". John Jackman, a retired policeman who has lived in Barham Road for 36 years, told members that petty crime had been commonplace in the area on Friday and Saturday nights over the years. The proposed development, he claimed, would only serve to exacerbate the problem since it created an alleyway. Presenting his argument before Petersfield Town Council's planning committee, he told members: "These days the police have to come all the way from Whitehill, and a lot of the residents don't even bother to call them any more. "It is not a quiet area on Friday and Saturday nights as it is the main route back through town. I can see exactly what goes on there. "Now they are going to walk up through the gap which this development would create. "Shouting screaming and foul language are all going to happen if they allow the space to be there." Mr Jackman added: "I'm here representing myself, but a lot of other residents in the two roads have come to me with their views about this and they are the same as mine. "Building it according to these plans would be like putting a quart in a pint pot." Ken Hick agreed with Mr Jackman's appraisal and called on fellow councillors to object to the plan. He said: "We are not talking about Friday or Saturday night, we are talking about the early hours of the morning. It should be made clear that there will be a lot of noise and nuisance. "It is also over-development of the site." George Watkinson added: "We had no problem with the original plan. This one will increase problems of noise and bad behaviour for the residents in the area."