TOWN councillors have made a last ditch attempt to convince a developer to amend controversial plans for a mixed housing development in Alton. Guildford-based Squires Bridge Homes Ltd wants to build 28 two, three and four bedroom homes on sloping ground overlooking Kings Pond. This is the third set of plans that the developer has unveiled for the site in Ashdell Road. The first proposal for 42 homes was thrown out by district planners last September after massive public outcry, but it is now in the hands of a government inspector after the developer appealed. The second scheme reduced the number of homes to 29 but this was also opposed by local residents because of the density, access and the height of the proposed hilltop buildings. The latest set of plans has reduced the number of homes to 28 after reducing a proposed terrace of homes to the rear of 58 to 60 Ashdell Road from five to four and rotating them 90 degrees. The developer has also lowered the hilltop homes by one metre. Under the revised plans, eight three bedroom houses, four two bedroom cottages, two two bedroom and six three bedroom apartments and eight four bedroom houses would be built. But the proposals have already attracted strong local opposition with a total of 42 local residents penning letters to district planners objecting to the scheme. Last week around 15 local residents attended Alton Town Council's planning and transportation committee meeting where the latest plans were debated by members. David Smith, of Curtis Road, told councillors that the density was still unacceptable. "Although the number of units has been reduced from 42 to 28, the mass has not been changed because the number of rooms per dwelling has increased," he said. "I would like to urge the members of the committee to support the local objectors and refuse the scheme. I think the only way to get comments and suggestions listened to is to refuse the scheme and make suggestions." June Chatfield, of Ashdell Road, said: "The new plan doesn't make the scheme at all acceptable. The hilltop houses are still three floors. There would be a very major change in the roofline which would result in the cluttering of the skyline. This does not overcome any of the objections. This does not get our support." The council accepted that it was unable to object to the scheme as it did not oppose the revised plans for 29 homes, but it could put forward suggestions. Dave Crocker said he would like to see three detached homes at the top of the site instead of the four pairs of semi-detached homes proposed He said: "We have to bully the local district councillor to absorb some of our comments. I do believe that this site will be developed. I think we just have to accept that. I do believe that the design and bulkiness is much improved. Squires Bridge has proved to me that they are responsible and that they will take a great deal of care. They have preserved all of the trees bar one and the hedgerow at the top. We have achieved a great deal on landscaping and bulkiness. "On balance it is a reasonable scheme. The points that we need to address are the question of the top four pairs of semis. I would love to see three detached houses there myself but I don't think we are going to win that. The other point is the question of the access on to Ashdell Road. "I think it is quite appropriate that we can add comments and extend our wishlist and given the attitude that they have shown so far, I am convinced that they will listen." The council agreed to suggest that the proposed pairs of semi-detached homes at the top of the site be reduced from four to three and that the proposed access on to Ashdell Road be reconsidered. The revised plans are expected to be determined by East Hampshire District Council's north planning committee on Thursday, June 16.
