A TOWN councillor has described proposed new affordable housing units in Petersfield as ÔtomorrowÕs slumsÕ.
Chris Jenner said he felt plans for eight affordable flats in Barham Road were Òthe equivalent of 1960s high-rise tower blocksÓ.
Mr Jenner voiced his concerns at a meeting of Petersfield Town CouncilÕs planning committee on Tuesday night.
The committee was considering revised plans from Petersfield Housing Association to build eight single-person units in Barham Road.
PHA had altered the plans to reduce the car parking spaces on the site from four to zero.
Councillors raised objections to this, but Mr Jenner went further, expressing grave concerns about the size of the flats.
He said: ÒIt is not just car parking but quality of life. It is giving people lots of housing but they are not giving dignity. I do not think just because people are poor you should cram them in together.Ó
However he met strong objection from Katie Pitt, who rejected claims that the flats would become ÔslumsÕ and said they represented a far better alternative to what was on offer to many at present.
Miss Pitt said: ÒWhat would your quality be, bed and breakfast in Gosport or here? It is far better to have them small and have more of them.Ó
Miss Pitt said that some young mothers and their babies were being housed in bed and breakfast accommodation in Gosport, forced out each day for the room to be cleaned.
She said that these flats were Òbetter than having nowhereÓ.
Elsa Bulmer also supported the project and said it Òshould be welcomed with open armsÓ.
The committee objected to the amended plans on the grounds of insufficient car parking.