EAST Hampshire planners are inviting public comment on two identical planning applications by Westbury Homes Holding Limited for 183 houses on part of the Lord Mayor Treloar Hospital site at Chawton Road.

Residential redevelopment of the site was established in March last year when outline planning permission for 145 dwellings was granted to NHS property agents, Capitec.

The site was purchased two months ago by Hartley Wintney-based developers, Westbury Homes Holding Limited, who have already submitted applications for the off-site road improvements needed to accommodate such a scheme.

They include the installation of a mini-roundabout with two accesses on to Chawton Park Road together with the provision of a cycleway and associated signing and lining.

The increase in housing numbers now sought is said by planners to reflect central government advice to make the best use of urban land to prevent building on greenfield sites, and a wider mix of housing with the majority now proposed being three-bedroom properties or less.

North area planning manager Chris Murray said: ÒThis is a significant development on the western side of Alton, and the planning authority has negotiated with the developer to achieve a high standard of layout, design and housing mix to reflect the importance of this site.

ÒPublic comments are welcome, and should be submitted in writing to the Head of Planning Control at Penns Place, Petersfield, by December 10, to enable them to be considered, and any concerns addressed.Ó

The application is expected to be placed before East Hampshire District CouncilÕs north planning committee early in the new year.

Copies of the plans can be viewed at the East Hampshire District Council presence office in Cross and Pillory Lane, Alton, and at Penns Place, Petersfield.

r A planning officer explained that it now appears to be policy for the bigger developers to submit two identical planning applications.

If, at the end of the eight-week determination period the applications have been turned down, one is left active in order to facilitate further negotiation with planning officers, and the other is taken directly to appeal.

In this way, should the two parties fail to reach an acceptable compromise, no time has been wasted in actioning the appeal process.