WHITEHILL Town Council has opposed an application to build three retail units in Bordon's shopping centre because of its design and loss of parking. The proposals, which went before Monday's planning and amenities committee, would see the construction of three new retail units, an extension at the front and rear of the existing units, which would narrow the walkway and refurbishment of the shopping centre. Committee members were unhappy that two of the retail units would be used for fast food takeaways and parking on site would be reduced. Councillors were informed that the takeaways would be facing out from Heathcote Road and this was fiercely criticised by David Williamson. He said: "You can just imagine what it is going to look like with takeaways and litter everywhere. There is enough rubbish in the area already. "It is just like a blister on the side of the shopping centre and I think that it will attract too much on-street parking. "They are just going to park in Heathcote Road and you are going get lorries from Somerfield and Wikinsons causing problems. Nick Dawes said that parking was one of the major issues with the application and believed that there would be some major problems for the adjacent Heathcote Road. "If they are entering the shop, they have to keep their cars somewhere and there will be all sorts of problems with 40 ton articulated lorries. Members were concerned with the "dead space" that would be created between Lidl and the Forest Centre. It was thought that this would be used as an escape route and would attract anti-social behaviour. "I think the police and security would want to comment on that," said Mr Williamson. Faith Thomas was unhappy with the negative effect the design would have on St Mark's Shared Church. "It would be disastrous for the church. People don't know where the church is now and they would not see it at all if it was completely shut off," said Mrs Thomas. And none of the members seemed to be impressed with the narrow walkways, believing that shoppers would feel claustrophobic. Mrs Thomas added: "I am also concerned that they are making the shops bigger whether, they like it or not. Other people may not want a bigger unit; it would be costing them more money and it is going to be disastrous for the centre because they might be left empty." Chris Wain continued: "The idea was to have an open area with a statue or at least something relevant to the area and educational." The application was unanimously opposed by the planning committee and members also requested that a meeting should be held with the local traders and the applicant to try to come to some sort of agreement. The proposal will now go to East Hampshire District Council's north planning committee for a final decision in the coming months. Anyone who wishes to comment on this application will have to hurry as the deadline for writing to the district council's planning department is Monday, May 22.
