EAST Hampshire planners have given unanimous approval to an application by Kingfisher Housing Association for the construction of 54 new homes on the former Alton College playingfield site fronting the Old Odiham Road.
Representing a reduction of two units, because of amendments in the site layout, the plan passed by East Hampshire District CouncilÕs north planning committee will comprise three blocks of flats - two in the north west quarter of the 0.84 hectare site and one at the eastern end, with terraced housing arranged along the southern section adjoining Alton College.
The proposed housing development will comprise 30 one and two-bedroom flats and 24 two and three-bedroom houses with a total of 66 car parking spaces - one parking lot per flat and 1.5 lots per houses, 20 of which will be reserved for disabled users.
Outline permission was granted for development of the site in December last year, since when it has been sold by the college to the Basingstoke- based housing association to help finance the £2.25m development on campus of a new library, learning resource centre and sports hall.
A housing association specialising in social housing, Kingfisher is said to have funding for 32 affordable units on the site with the remaining 22 going to key workers or at market rent.
Particular fears were expressed during last ThursdayÕs meeting that any traffic-calming scheme planned for the New Odiham Road should be in place before any of the new homes are occupied.
Area officer, Chris Murray said that while pinch points, similar to those at the entrance to Selborne, had been ruled out because they had been deemed ÒinappropriateÓ on the Old Odiham Road, thought was being given to other ways of speed reduction. A request had also been made, he said for Òa more elegant schemeÓ, with particular attention to pedestrian use.