DEVELOPER McCarthy and Stone has submitted plans to redevelop Alton’s former magistrates court and police station with specialist retirement accommodation.

The brownfield site, located on the junction of Normandy Street and Orchard Lane, is felt by the developer to be ideally located for older people needing easy access to the town and its services.

The plans propose 43 one and two-bed apartments, with shared facilities including a club lounge, guest suite and a house manager’s office, and 43 on-site car parking spaces, with a single vehicle access point from Orchard Lane.

Validated by East Hampshire planners on Thursday last week, the plan has already attracted public comment.

While one respondent has welcomed the opportunity to clean up “an eyesore”, eleven have registered strong objection to yet more retirement homes – feeling what Alton needs are affordable town centre flats and homes for young families and more retail offering.

A previous application, by Renaissance Retirement Ltd, for 57 sheltered apartments on the site was withdrawn in May last year after drawing fierce criticism from both Alton Town Council and the Alton Society over the design of the proposed development.

Since then McCarthy and Stone has taken over the site and consulted with the community, including meetings with representatives from the town council and neighbouring residents, as well as a public exhibition in September, attended by 39 people.

Its plan differs from the original ‘Fort Knox’ appearance of Renaissance in that the design proposed draws inspiration from local architectural styles and materials, with a traditional two-storey town house frontage along Normandy Street which the developer believes would “repair the street scene”.

The three-storey element proposed at the rear of the site is said to be comparable in height to the two-storey frontage due to changes in ground levels.

McCarthy and Stone regional managing director, Shane Paull said: “Our high-quality, traditional design will significantly enhance the appearance of this disused site and the character of this part of the town centre while respecting neighbouring properties and improving local outlook.

“The provision of retirement accommodation significantly contributes to local houses choices and helps to release larger family homes back onto the market, whilst also boosting the local economy as nearly 80 per cent of homeowners use and rely on local shops, often on a daily basis.”