PLANS to demolish five police houses and replace them with 18 affordable homes have been supported by district planning officers, even though the town council has expressed disbelief and disgust at the proposals.
Planning officer Jeremy Heppell recommended that the north planning sub committee, which was due to meet last night (Thursday), should grant the Sentinel Housing Association planning permission for the scheme.
Under the plans the five existing police houses on Petersfield Road, Whitehill, would be replaced by 18 affordable units with a widened access from Petersfield Road.
There would be 10 two-bedroomed two-storey terraced houses and one pair of semis, with six flats in a three storey block to the rear of the site.
Fifteen letters of objection to the plans had been received from local residents, arguing that the homes would be too tall, too small and that the land could be better used for larger homes or as a recreational area.
The argument that police housing is needed in the county was also put forward.
Whitehill Town Council had objected to the proposals and expressed amazement that Hampshire Constabulary is considering getting rid of the police homes.
It cited its "large homes only" policy as another reason why the application should be thrown out.
However in his report Jeremy Heppell stated that there is a waiting list of 302 applicants in need of local affordable housing.
He reminded the committee that the town council has already been told its "large homes only" policy has only been accepted in principle, but not adopted as policy by the district council yet.
"Officers consider it would be untenable to oppose social housing on this site," he said.