A DEVELOPER is attempting to build a terrace of homes aimed at first-time buyers on existing back gardens. Requisite Properties Ltd wants to erect the traditional two-bedroom homes on part of the rear gardens at 56 to 62 Victoria Road, Alton. The homes would be accessed by an existing, unadopted narrow lane which would undergo some "remedial work". There would be room for one parking space per home. Up to eight cars currently park on the proposed site, which also houses some dilapidated outbuildings, but the developer is proposing to relocate these spaces in the front gardens of the homes by introducing dropped kerbs. The developer's design statement says: "Introducing dropped kerbs to the Victoria Road frontage would relocate the existing cars. In some cases this has already occurred. "In doing this it would resolve a number of purposes, namely: improved accessibility on Victoria Road in that the dropped kerbs would prevent 'kerbside parking' and improved security to both persons and property. Currently the lane has no lighting, no presence and is a notorious 'cut through' giving rise to vandalism." But the plans have sparked fears among neighbouring residents and Alton Town Council about parking, access, being out of keeping with the area and overdevelopment. Jacky Billington, of Victoria Road, is one of three residents to have objected to the scheme so far. In a letter to East Hampshire District Council, Mrs Billington said: "There is already a considerable parking problem in Victoria Road, as I expect you are aware. "For these houses to lose their rear parking will exacerbate the problem. Although one of the houses already has adequate parking at the front, there is no way that more than one small car will fit into the space in front of either of the two semis and there is limited space in front of the bungalow at no 62. "The plans are misleading in showing two parking spaces in front of each of the semis. Do the occupants drive Smart cars? "Should the front gardens be levelled and two normal-sized cars attempted to be parked in front of them they are sure to overhang the pavement - an undesirable situation particularly so close to the entrance of Alton Infants' School. We already have a problem with people parking in the track and blocking our garages. "The idea of a terrace of six houses in this part of the road is totally out of keeping with the character of the area. "The plans imply a precedent for building along the track which does not, in fact, exist. At no 76, a one-bedroom annexe was built over the garage. This is an annexe in which no separate occupation is permitted. "Should any further building be permitted on the track, then we urge that it be of far less density than the plan submitted, and conditions be imposed to finance improvements to the track. Several bodged repairs have raised its level to the point where silt is washed into the surrounding gardens as the carriageway is washed away in bad weather, and water pours under garage doors opening on to it," said Mrs Billington. Town and district councillor John Smith, who represents Alton Westbrooke, has been flooded with complaints about the application. Last week the town council's planning and transportation committee agreed to object to the plans. Pam Jones said: "You will ruin the whole lot of Victoria Road if you knock down the walls to park cars in front of the homes." Mayor Paddy Mendham added: "It is totally inappropriate for that area." It will now be up to East Hampshire District Council to determine the plans.
