PLANS to demolish five former police homes in Whitehill and build 25 houses and flats look set to be given the thumbs-up, despite fierce objections from Whitehill Town Council.

It is the third time that Sentinel Housing Group has submitted plans to East Hampshire District Council to demolish the Petersfield Road homes and replace them with a mixture of houses and flats.

The first proposals, for 18 houses and flats, were submitted in 2001, but later withdrawn. A second set of plans for 25 houses and flats followed, but was refused consent in March last year, and is now the subject of an appeal.

The applicant notified the district council of its intention to demolish the homes in the interest of health and safety last July and the council raised no objection.

The application site is made up of two triangular-shaped areas, one currently containing the former police homes and the other 31 lock-up garages.

The new plans are for four one-bedroom flats, 11 two-bedroom houses, eight three-bedroom houses and two four-bedroom houses. Forty car parking spaces are also proposed.

Access is proposed for 19 homes through Sutton Field, with the remaining six homes accessing the site via Petersfield Road, in a bid to meet previous concerns about sole access from Sutton Field.

The proposals are due to be examined by EHDCÕs north planning committee on Thursday (January 16).

Whitehill Town Council remains opposed to the plans on the grounds that, in terms of their size, the homes do not meet local need, there is no provision for garages and because of the increase in traffic which would result from the development.

ÒWhitehill/Bordon has a disproportionate number of small dwellings, and a disproportionate number of residents in social housing, when compared with other settlements in East Hampshire,Ó the council stressed.

ÒIf this type of site is to be developed for social housing then there is no prospect of Whitehill/Bordon ever becoming a balanced and viable community.

ÒNo further social housing should be provided in Whitehill/Bordon until the existing imbalance has been overcome.Ó

And the town council does not believe that access for six cars from Petersfield Road would make a huge difference to the traffic which would be generated through Sutton Field.

ÒAccess through the Sutton Field estate is unsuitable for additional traffic,Ó it said.

ÒThe roads are narrow and on street parking creates an extremely congested access route. This is already causing frustration, stress and argument.Ó

Six letters of objection have been sent to district planners, including one from Walldown Preservation Society.

The district councilÕs arboricultural officer has also objected on the grounds of the Òdetrimental impactÓ the development would have on the trees on the site.

But the housing development manager believes that if the plans were given the go-ahead it would promote a balanced community within the town.

ÒThe development of this site for 25 affordable units for rent and shared ownership has always been supported by housing services,Ó he said.

ÒThe need for affordable housing in Whitehill and Bordon is a priority for housing services and this is underpinned by the number of applicants registered on our joint housing register and the number of homeless families that are placed in temporary accommodation or bed and breakfast at this time of year.

ÒWe are pleased to see that Sentinel have consulted further with Whitehill Town Council to incorporate their recommendations into the design.

ÒThis includes access for six units from Petersfield Road, additional car parking spaces and a turning head in the centre of the site.

ÒThe dwellings will meet the Housing CorporationÕs Scheme Development Standards and we consider this development to be sustainable. The mixture of tenures and dwelling styles will promote a balanced community within Whitehill.Ó

Case officer Chris Murray has recommended that district councillors grant permission.

He said that while the local plan recognises the need for a limited amount of larger houses in Bordon to meet local needs, a balance had to be struck with the equally pressing need for affordable housing.

ÒThe housing needs figures show a clear need for one and two-bedroomed houses in the area. Officers consider it would be untenable to oppose social housing on this site.

ÒNotwithstanding this view, officers will seek to meet the wishes of the town council when suitable sites for larger houses come forward in Whitehill/Bordon and, indeed, the second review (of the local plan) proposes sites which would achieve just this.Ó