THE fate of five police houses in Whitehill is still hanging in the balance.
Councillors have delayed making a decision on a planning application in favour of a site visit.
The site visit, which was suggested by Whitehill and Bordon district councillor Zoya Faddy, was agreed by East Hampshire District CouncilÕs north planning committee last Thursday in the hope that it would give councillors the chance to make a more informed decision.
The application, which has been submitted by the Sentinel Housing Group, is to demolish the houses next to the police station and replace them with 21 two and three-bedroom terraced and semi-detached houses, and four flats.
The proposals concern the plot of land which contains the police houses and land off Sutton Field which currently houses 31 lock-up garages.
Unlike a previous plan, which was withdrawn by the applicant, access to the homes will be from Sutton Field following concern raised about the previous applicantÕs plans for an access off of the A325.
At last ThursdayÕs meeting Mrs Faddy said: ÒI have concerns about the density of the homes, the car parking that will be provided and the access.
ÒI think there is opportunity to make this a very good environment but I think a site visit would help because this is a different application.Ó
Mrs Faddy is not alone in her concerns about the application. The district council has received six letters of concern from residents of five properties in Whitehill.
The concerns raised include the ÒinadequateÓ access to the site via Sutton Field, which is narrow and has limited parking, and the loss of garaging, which residents felt would mean even more cars would need to park on the road in Sutton Field.
Whitehill Town Council has objected to the proposal, which it felt would have an impact on existing housing and social imbalance, traffic and parking.
It said: ÒWhitehill and Bordon has a disproportionate number of small dwellings, and a disproportionate number of residents in social housing compared with other settlements in East Hampshire.
ÒAccess through the Sutton Field estate is unsuitable for additional traffic. The roads are narrow and on-street parking creates an extremely congested access route. This is already causing frustration, stress and argument.Ó
Case officer Chris Murray told the committee that he had received an additional letter from Whitehill Town Council informing members that Whitehill Village Hall had complained that Sutton Field residents were using its car park, which meant that visitors to the hall had nowhere to park.
In putting the application to members, Mr Murray said: ÒAlthough cars would not be able to access the site from Petersfield Road emergency vehicles would be able to access the road.
ÒThe applicant has proposed that the tree screen will be maintained and there will be pedestrian and cycle access on to Petersfield Road.Ó
In his recommendation for permission he said: ÒI do strongly believe that it is the right site for this application.Ó
Members, however, agreed with Mrs Faddy that a site visit should be carried out before a decision is made on the application.