A DEVELOPER has been given the go-ahead at appeal for the redevelopment of a contaminated site in Butts Road, Alton. Elstream Enterprises Ltd has been granted permission by the Government planning inspectorate for 14 dwellings at 32a Butts Road provided the site is decontaminated. The development, in outline only, will represent a density of 50 to the hectare, and will comprise two four-bed, seven three-bed and five two-bedroom properties. Planning inspector Roger Mather described the appeal site as "a vacant eyesore" in a residential area. Previous usage had included a gas works and former Motorway Tyres garage, both of which had caused contamination. Alton Town Council had been keen that the development should go through, to tidy the site, although it had reservations about the decontamination process and access to the busy Butts Road. East Hampshire District Council turned it down on access grounds but the inspector agreed with the developers that, while parked cars on Butts Road would cause danger for vehicles exiting a priority junction, an access involving build-outs would improve visibility, even when on-street parking is high. Mr Mather made a condition that on-street works, to achieve unobstructed visibility for exiting, be carried out before development. He also deemed that the high density would improve the appearance, make good use of the site, and be acceptable in a "sustainable" town centre location. He questioned the layout and lack of garden space.
