PUBLIC consultation into redevelopment of the former Malt House (formerly Minnesotas nightclub) site in Lower Turk Street, Alton, to provide high-quality assisted living accommodation for private sale, has resulted in an agreement to provide additional on-site parking.

Plans have now been submitted by YourLife Management Ltd of Ringwood to East Hampshire District Council planners for a joint venture between Somerset Care and McCarthy and Stone, to provide a three-storey building comprising extra-care accommodation for frail elderly residents with associated communal facilities – such as lounges, a restaurant, a wellness room, a guest suite, a house manager and 24-hour care support accommodation, car parking, a communal rechargeable scooter store, access and landscaped gardens – on the 0.63 hectare vacant site between Sainsbury’s and the former Coors Brewery.

According to the plans, classified at C2 (residential institutions) the development will have a total floorspace of 5150 square metres comprising 85 rooms, to provide 55 one- and two-bedroom assisted living apartments, and is expected to provide employment for the equivalent of 15 full-time staff.

A public exhibition was at Alton Assembly Rooms on February 11 was attended by more than 90 people after more than 2,000 invitations were sent to people living near the site.

According to YourLife Management, there was a positive reaction to the plans, with more than 87% of those who provided feedback supporting the plans in principle.

There was, the company says, widespread support for this type of housing in the town, with a high proportion of visitors to the exhibition expressing an interest in purchasing one of the planned apartments.

YourLife Management has responded to the feedback by amending its plans.

Shane Paull, McCarthy and Stone’s regional managing director, said: “We are really pleased by the reaction we have received to the proposals, and that those who came and spoke to us also think this is a good use of the vacant Lower Turk Street site.

“After reviewing the feedback from the community, we have decided to use the land on the other side of the pedestrian footpath for 15 additional car parking spaces (to make a total of 45).

“We find that not all residents tend to own a car, but appreciate there are concerns about existing parking difficulties in the town.”

Anyone who would like further information about the plans should visit the project’s dedicated website at: www.mccarthyandston which can be founda at

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

consultation.co.uk/alton, call the dedicated freephone information line number – 0800 298 7040 – or send an email to feedback @mccarthyandstone-consultation.co.uk