A PLANNING application for a block of flats in Liss Forest has caused a stir among residents, who say it will "stick out like a sore thumb". More than 30 protesters turned up at a Liss Parish Council meeting on Monday, armed with placards, to make their feelings known. Most of the signs read "stop the flats", while one put it simply: "It's too big". Members of Liss Forest Residents' Association are dismayed that a "characterful cottage" could be replaced by a block of nine flats. The residents said they want "to let all levels of the local democratic establishment know that they feel that this is a step too far and something with which they will not put up". Residents' Association chairman Tony Grant said: "If this is not a spontaneous show of how the residents of Liss Forest feel I don't know what is. The proposal to build a multi-storey block of flats on a site that is almost surrounded by bungalows and adjoins fields that may well be included in the national park, beggars belief. "If developers think they can slip this kind of thing through in the holiday season they had better think again." The planning application was submitted by PRC architects, based in Surrey, for the redevelopment of 163 Forest Road, Liss. It proposes replacing the current two-storey building with a three-storey block of flats, including a roof space apartment. The building, which would house nine flats in total, would be set back from the road adjacent to single storey dwellings. It would face onto a 16-place car park opening directly onto the apex of a sharp corner in Forest Road opposite Warren Road. Residents were concerned that the siting of the proposed development would be a road safety hazard as it would involve a 16-space car park opening onto a corner locals know to be dangerous. Alan Hookway, a resident living almost opposite the proposed development site, said: "The corner has a history of crashes. Last year we had a car that failed to make it around the corner come through our fence. With the screening proposed, the corner, which only has one pavement and is used by horse riders and pedestrians, will become a death trap." Mr Hookway said that the building currently at 163 Forest Road "visibly links with houses the other side of the road", but that if the proposed development happened it would "stick out like a sore thumb". At a density of 60 dwellings per hectare the proposal breaches the National guideline of 40 and is double that of the District Council's recommendation of 30. Mr Grant said: "We are hopeful that the district planners will see sense and stop this application in its tracks. This is a lovely rural village; we will not see it turned into an urban jungle." Liss Forest residents wanted to make their feelings known prior to next week's planning meeting, when the item will be on the agenda. Liss Parish Council clerk Dick Bowery said: "Liss Parish Council will consider it at a planning meeting on Monday (July 28)." He added a site visit may be required if members feel it is appropriate. The Liss Parish Council planning committee meeting will be held at the village hall at 7.30pm. Mr Hookway said: "We wanted to let the councillors know we are extremely angry about it. We hope they will put in a very strong objection against the proposals."
