Developers who submitted plans for a care home in Bishop's Waltham, which previously met with opposition, have submitted amendments.
The plan for the conversion of the Abbey Mill building on Station Road and construction of a 66 bed care home, 39 assisted living units, 19 family houses and 12 affordable homes were thrown out in 2017.
This was after the site was set to become a Sainsburys, with plans for that scrapped in 2015 after a six-year battle.
The retailer was also due to build a £1.6 million GPs’ surgery as part of the plans.
READ MORE HERE: Wave of objections over Meon Valley quarry plan
An amended plan was now been submitted with slight changes to the designs. It has been submitted by Beechcroft C/O agent, Mr Giles Brockbank.
As part of this amended submission package, the proposals have remained broadly identical apart from 38 assisted living units are now proposed rather than 39.
Tony Woodsford, of Rareridge Lane Bishop's Waltham, said: “This planning application is similar to a previous one in 2017 which met local opposition because of the density of the site and the original plan which was to demolish the old Mill building.
Station Road - Abbey Mill C 1880's - Hurley
“This latest overly intensive plan does not integrate with the village 'feel' of this sensitive site, within the conservation area. The Mill building, although not listed, sits on a medieval dam scheduled as an Ancient Monument. The site is very close to the Bishop's Waltham Palace ruins and centuries before was an overspill pond for the adjacent great pond.
“After waiting over four years for this almost unchanged application (except Mill conversion) my opinion is that people feel that this development is being imposed upon them with insufficient time for participation and involvement and indeed many people are unaware of this application now appearing to be hurried through.”
SEE ALSO: Dog dies in house fire in Swanmore
Geoffrey Palmer, of Pilgrims Gate, submitted a letter of objection. It said: “Should this development proceed, then assurances must be given that all contractor traffic will be parked completely within the site. Being a resident of Pilgrims Gate we suffer from a previous planning mistake in not allocating any visitor or trades parking spaces. We therefore rely completely on this deficit by our visitors parking on the lower end of Victoria Road. The last thing we want is to have these spaces taken by contractors' vans parked there as well as blocking the vision for a safe exit from our complex.
“Lastly, if the plans are rejected, then Abbey Mill should be developed into a wetlands nature reserve.”
Public consultation on the plans expired on March 4.
Message from the editor
Thank you for reading this story. We really appreciate your support.
Please help us to continue bringing you all the trusted news by sharing this story or by following our Facebook page.
Kimberley Barber
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here