LOCAL residents are up in arms over a proposal to build a block of flats which, they believe, would completely overshadow a row of historic cottages in one of AltonÕs prime Conservation Areas.
They have raised a 65-signature petition, strongly opposing the plan by land owner Eric Morgan, who is seeking to build 20 one-bed studio flats for the first-time buyer market on land off Turk Street.
Currently used for private car parking, the site links up with land behind the building currently occupied by Cubitt and West on the High Street, which Mr Morgan also owns.
Designed to be affordable, the flats facing Turk Street would be two storeys high above a parking area at ground level, while the flats behind would be three storeys.
Local residents became alarmed when they read reports of the application in the local press. According to Ronald and Eileen Clancy, who run The Mini Bar cafe, while Mr Morgan had muted the idea some time ago about developing the site, they had not been notified or informed about the type of building proposed.
The flats, said Mrs Clancy, would completely dwarf their cottage. Described as a Òthree bay open hall houseÓ, it was constructed sometime between 1377 and 1413 during the reign of Richard II or Henry IV, and is reputed to be the oldest building in Alton. Should the flats go ahead, it would be boxed in, with some of its main features hidden from view, and deprived of all natural light.
ÒAs far as we are concerned this would be gross overdevelopment and be totally out of character with the surrounding area,Ó said Mr Clancy, who raised the petition to try and drive the point home.
Mr Clancy also believes that the town does not have the amenities or infrastructure to support further development in the area.
In urging East Hampshire planners to allow the proposal to be decided by local people, Mr Clancy points out: ÒThe proposed plot of land seems most unsuitable for any development.Ó
The Alton Society has also opposed the plan. In a letter to planning officer Keith Oliver, chairman Geoff Nicholas expressed his Òdeep depressionÓ over a proposal which could lead to the construction in a Conservation Area of a building in which Òthe total banality of the elevations is almost beyond belief.Ó
Mr Nicholas continues: ÒThe two blocks have no architectural merit whatsoever and are shown crammed into an unsuitable site, one of which relies on the public car park for access in three places.Ó
Mr Nicholas also suggests that whilst the proposed accommodation is described as Ôstudio flatsÕ, this could be another word for Ògrotesquely undersized bedsitting rooms, with just 13 square metres for cooking, sleeping and living.
ÒThis application, we feel, is an insult to the community and we strongly recommend refusal.Ó
In seeking to commend his application to Alton Town Council, Eric Morgan had told local councillors that his aim would be to try and address a local need by marketing the flats at a price which first time buyers could afford.