A COMMUNITY centre, shop, better public transport and residents’ parking permits.

Those were some of the changes residents in Abbotts Barton want to see after a public consultation last Thursday.

The city council hosted the event in a marquee in Chaundler Road to discuss sites for new housing.

Although many residents responded positively to the consultation process, they were still largely against development in the area.

Gerald Butcher, 75, of Cavendish Grove, Abbotts Barton, said: “If the council was so concerned about local housing, why did they let the field near Francis Gardens go to Redrow Developments? “It could have built an estate there with the 90 houses going up.

“I read something recently about a surveyor saying there was plenty of non-green space that could be developed in Bar End, so I would suggest they look into something there; it’s not that far away from the city centre.”

Anthony Brett, 72, a retired salesman of Chaundler Road, said: “The council has done a good job of explaining the plans, but I don’t like what they are saying. It’s very quiet here but that would go if more houses were built, and it’s a beautiful area so I do not want the view to change.”

But other residents said empty garages would be appropriate for development.

For the full story and pictures see this week's edition of the Hampshire Chronicle, out now.