­A LONG-established family building company in Alton has gone into voluntary administration, leaving two major residential developments in Farnham unfinished.

HA and DB Kitchin, which has been trading in and around Alton for 40 years, was contracted to build both the scheme for a 70-bed care home and 16 new houses to the rear of Bourne Mill antiques centre on the A325/Water Lane roundabout, and also 14 new luxury apartments on the upper three storeys of Bridge House in South Street.

Matters turned ugly at the care home development last week. Police attended the scene due to a “dispute over a civil matter” and remained at the site to ensure that there was not a breach of the peace. No further issues were reported.

Farnham-based developer Hedgehunter, moved swiftly to regain possession of the Bridge House site to ensure it can still meet the completion date for the 14 luxury apartments to be built there. Of those, 11 have already been sold and the new owners are expecting to move in for Christmas.

David Hall, who owns Farnham Furnishers showroom on the ground floor of Bridge House, was keen to stress his company had no connection with Kitchin and it was business as usual.

Hedgehunter company secretary Arlene Mudie told The Herald: “We have now received official notice Kitchin has entered administration, which means we can proceed with the project ourselves.

“We own the building and can now get things moving again. We are already on to it and we will finish it on time.

“It’s very sad for everyone involved, especially because Kitchin is a long-established company.”