EAST Hampshire District Council (EHDC) has welcomed the results of a survey run by the Alton Society into the future of the Molson Coors brewery site on Upper Turk Street.

EHDC, Alton Town Council and Molson Coors have worked together to draw up a development brief – a document that will help guide planning applications for the site, a process which included three public consultations.

In response, The Alton Society ran its own survey to gather opinion.

Although too late to be included in the development brief, the results do provide extra information that developers can consider.

Alton Society chairman Bob Booker said the society recognises the hard work put into the development brief but feels it can be improved, particularly with regard to the proposed layout in the ilustrative masterplan.

And he believes this is supported in the 500-strong survey carried out by the society, with the overwhelming majority supporting the society’s recommendations.

“We would want to see a lasting legacy for this site, containing an attractive, large riverside park, not just a housing estate,” he said.

“Quality apartment buildings will go for a premium price and would free up more space. Employment units and the community facility are better suited for south of the river with better parking possibilities, and a landmark building in the south west corner should lead the eye into this unique site.

“Any developer must consider these alternatives, since they reflect the wishes of so many Altonians.”

Dean Phillips, EHDC’s portfolio holder for Alton, said: “We would like to thank The Alton Society for their further efforts to capture opinion from Alton as a whole, as with such an important opportunity you can never have enough community engagement. We are working hard to try to balance the aspirations of the community against commercial viability to deliver a scheme that ensures the site will not lay vacant for years to come.

“A number of changes in the development brief have been incorporated as a direct result of the Alton Society’s requests. There will also be an opportunity for all parties to engage with the chosen developer once the tender process is complete.

“Furthermore, it is important to remember that a development brief is not the end of the journey but the beginning. It is designed to focus ideas on development, not limit them.”

The next stage in the process is to attract a developer to take on the site. Molson Coors is currently marketing the site and inviting bids. A preferred bidder is likely to be chosen in October.