MORE than 200 homes will be built in the heart of Winchester after plans were given the green light.

Hampshire Constabulary's former headquarters, on Romsey Road, will be knocked down to make way for the new homes.

The city council planning committee last Thursday heard the new development will provide 208 homes, including 18 houses and 190 apartments.

Affordable housing will also be supplied with 83 of the units leased under a rent-to-buy scheme.

However, these properties have been placed nearest to the prison wall - which runs adjacent to the site - and Cllr Therese Evans questioned why the buildings have been singled out by being placed in “the least desirable location”.

Cllr Evans said: “A lot of councillors like me feel very strongly about affordable housing. I feel singling them out by making the two least desirable blocks nearest to the prison wall affordable housing as just wrong.”

The site will also provide 279 car parking spaces, mainly located in a basement car park.

Nevertheless, city councillors were alarmed to hear the complex only had one vehicular access point, and this could prove a problem if it become blocked.

David Gilchrist, for applicant Berkeley Homes, said this was a problem that did not need addressing as a substantial blockage would have to occur to disrupt the access.

Other issues were raised about the design of the new buildings as they were not in-keeping with the look of the ex-police building.

Subsequently, residents of the neighbouring West End Terrace were concerned by overlooking and the loss of light, however these issues were extinguished as none of the buildings will be taller than the tree-line.

Cllr Liz Hutchison, the local ward councillor, was unhappy that certain aspects had not been considered by Berkeley.

“I, like many people who live in the area, are very disappointed as the plans show no resemblance of the character of the area,” said Cllr Hutchison, who lives nearby on Clifton Road.

“There are a lot of terraces in the area and they all have a number of different styles and interesting roof plans. None of this has been represented in their designs.”

Planning committee member Cllr Robert Johnston said he was pleased with the design put forward as it will add to the local area.

He added: “I quite like the scheme and think it will do well once it is completed.”

Cllr Ian Tait said he would be sad to see the 1960s building demolished: “It will be a sad day when the old police HQ is taken down. It is a significant building in the city. I have grown to love the building as I have lived in its shadow for many years.”