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WINCHESTER planners began their defence of a decision to throw out plans to build an "alien" and "visually dominant" block of apartments for the elderly today (January 15).

Sunrise Senior Living Ltd wants to build a three-storey block housing 80 bedrooms providing assisted living for the elderly at Warden Hill, Stockbridge Road, after knocking down three existing homes there.

The city council dismissed the plans in February last year and an appeal by Sunrise started on today at the Guildhall.

Planners said the scheme would not fit in with the area and would cause traffic and parking problems.

Some issues since have been resolved and the appeal centred on the council's worries over the scale of the block, its effects on the area and the impact on existing trees and landscaping.

Under questioning from the council's counsel, Peter Towler, senior planning officer, Tom Patchell, said the proposal had been blocked because it was an over-development of the plot and would result in an "alien, overbearing and visually dominant" building.

"The proposed development would result in a stark urban proposal. The proposed building would be approximately three-and-a-half metres higher than the approved Waitrose building (opposite).

"The building would therefore appear as an incongruous structure," he said.

But Jeremy Cahill QC, for Sunrise, in his opening statement, said he would demonstrate that the impact the building would have on the character of the area would be acceptable.

He added that there would be only a minor loss of planting and that it would be replaced.

Mr Cahill said: "Any assessment of the effect of development must start from an analysis of the area as it now is.

"The appellant's evidence will show that the fear of loss of trees and lack of faith in new planting is misguided and that the character of the road frontages will be preserved."

He referred to the nearby Wyke Mark home for the elderly.

"It's necessary to consider other development within the area to see if the bulk of the new building is so incongruous as to be harmful," added Mr Cahill.

The appeal is due to conclude on Thursday, (January 17) or Friday and government inspector, Christina Downes, will report back with her decision.

5:44pm Tuesday 15th January 2008

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