ALTON Town CouncilÕs planning committee has welcomed an application by Fareham-based company, Village Green plc, to build 64 new flats on the former county highways depot at Paper Mill Lane, Alton.
The proposal is to construct three four-storey buildings to provide 64 units, 16 of them affordable and to be made available to people with an Alton connection.
In approving the proposed use of the former industrial site as Òin keepingÓ with the policy for that end of town, councillors hoped that the provision of low-cost accommodation close to the station would attract more young people to Alton.
They were of the opinion that the size and style of the proposed development would provide Òan imaginative use of the siteÓ which should help to improve the appearance of the area.
The council had received one objection to the plan from a local resident who was concerned about the height of the proposed buildings which he felt would be Òout of scaleÓ and ÒinappropriateÓ in that location. Furthermore, he expressed concerns over the impact on already poor drainage and on traffic visibility.
Councillors agreed that flooding and sewage problems would have to be addressed prior to development, as would site access and signage.
They were pleased to see the inclusion of a riverside walkway included in the plan.