A MARRIED couple have won permission to convert and extend their bungalow into two homes - despite fierce local opposition. Around 50 residents fired off letters to East Hampshire District Council opposing Mr and Mrs Robson's plans, which would see the existing bungalow at 66 The Butts split into a four-bedroom and a two-bedroom home. The objectors felt that the development would be overdevelopment of the site, dominate the street scene, detract from the setting of the neighbouring listed building Butts House, be out-of-keeping in the Conservation Area and be too high. Alton Town Council also opposed the scheme because of overdevelopment and it felt it would detract from the setting of Butts House. This is the third scheme in two years that has been put forward by the applicants to redevelop the bungalow. The first to axe the bungalow and replace it with two semi-detached homes with integral garages was rejected in 2003 and later dismissed on appeal. But the couple won permission the following year for a similar scheme which reduced the height and depth of the side wings of the building. Now the applicants want to retain the existing bungalow, converting it into one home for themselves and another smaller home for Mr Robson's parents. Members of the district council's north planning committee were advised to approve the development at their recent meeting, because there were not, in case officer Alison Canfor's opinion, reasonable grounds to refuse it. But local resident Marion Walker urged the committee not to follow the officer's advise. It will form the largest building along The Butts and dominate the street scene and will detract from the setting of Butts House," she said. Town mayor Paddy Mendham said The Butts was a beautiful part of Alton and the town council would like it to stay that way. "If approved it will achieve something that the planning inspector warned against, detraction from the next door listed building," he said. But Mr Robson said that he had reduced the size, width and bulk of the proposed home with each plan that was submitted. He also reminded members that the scheme before them was similar to that which had already been approved. Allan Chick, who represents Alton Whitedown, said: "This is a very very precious site to Altonians and I will not be voting for this application." He also urged members to take into account the number of people that had objected to the plans. Bob Chilton, ward member for Alton Ashdell, was worried that if the committee approved the plans there would be nothing to stop the applicant converting the two separate homes into a single six bedroom home. But Chris Murray, area planning manager (north), advised that the recommendation for permission included a number of planning conditions, one of which required the applicant to apply to the council before further extending or altering the property. Chris Graham, who represents Ropley and Tisted, said he could not see many differences between the latest and the last application. "I support the officer's recommendation. I think if this goes to appeal, it would be slaughtered," he said. Permission was granted by eight votes to four.
