A DEVELOPER building a 180-home development in Alton has submitted three new applications to alter the layout of the site.

Redrow Homes received outline planning permission for 180 homes on land east of Will Hall Farm in May 2015, with approval of reserved matters relating to the layout, scale, external appearance and landscaping of the site in May 2017. Construction work has already begun on the site.

In the last few weeks the company has submitted three new reserved matters applications to East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) proposing to change the development.

According to EHDC, there is no increase in the number of proposed houses or to the access to the site, which will continue to be via a new roundabout onto New Odiham Road.

Residents cannot now comment on these elements of the development which have been agreed and are not proposed to change.

The changes, it seems, are mainly focused on the design of some of the houses, the layout of the site and the substitution of some types of houses with an alternative unit.

Two of the applications (55222/010 and 55222/011) show wider ranging proposals to move some of the smaller units closer to the open space area along the southern boundary of the site, overlooking the River Wey. The other application (55222/009) makes more minor amendments by substituting some house types as well as altering the layout in a couple of small sections.

The applications for change have not impressed The Alton Society whose members believe that to seek changes at this late stage is to draw into question the integrity of the entire planning process.

In a statement Rod Eckles, chairman of The Alton Society’s built environment group, told the Herald: “We are very disturbed to see the succession of further ‘reserved matters’ applications, just published.

“It is a full year since the reserved matters application for the 180 dwellings was approved, and building work is already at an advanced stage. How is it that significant changes can even be considered by the planning authority so late in the day?

“We will be formulating our response over the next few days, but it is already clear that the proposals would significantly affect the views into the site, especially - and critically - when viewed from the Basingstoke Road.

He continued: “The summary of changes, intended for clarification, in our view places undue emphasis on what is not changing, and does nothing to explain the context or rationale behind the changes themselves.

He added: “If technical difficulties, cost implications or market demand are the reasons for changes in layout, as is suggested, why weren’t these identified at the outset?

“It is an indictment of the planning system if such major modifications can be permitted this late.

“It brings into question the integrity of the entire process, especially since the original plans underwent so many iterations following extensive public consultation, this in recognition of the critical importance of this gateway location.”

The society’s view is clear: “We have an approved scheme, and the development should be allowed to proceed on that basis.”

n Full details of the applications can be found on the planning pages of the East Hampshire District Council website ateasthants.gov.uk/planning-services reference numbers: 55222/009, 55222/010 and 55222/011.