THE proposed redevelopment by Cala Homes of Alton’s former Molson Coors brewery site has attracted fierce criticism – not just from nearly 40 online objectors but also from Alton Town Council, who held an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday, October 2, to gauge public opinion.

The assault was led by the Alton Society, whose representative Rod Eckles stressed the importance of not losing “this golden opportunity to create a lasting legacy for the town”.

Mr Eckles appeared to speak for the majority of people present, by flagging up in particular the decision by Cala to renegade, firstly on the original proposal to build a new community centre on the site, and later to pay instead for the rebuilding of a new £3.5m centre on the existing site.

Instead, the current plan offers a £2.1m Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for improvements to existing community facilities.

Louise Parker, chair of the Amery Hill Residents Association, who has been championing the opening up of the River Wey walk, linking the site to the town centre and Kings Pond, reflected public disappointment over the “mean, narrow green corridor along the river,” which is not what the development plan had led people to expect.

There was concern too over the decision not to include a hotel – felt to be a key attraction in the bid to develop Alton as a tourist destination, and over its replacement by yet another care home.

It was, said county councillor Andrew Joy, “the opportunity of a generation,” and “we have to get it right”.

Taking these comments on board, the council has registered its own objections. On employment provision it feels the suggested B1 provision would be better located at Lynch Hill; it has suggested changes to open up the riverside walk and provide space for play areas; and improvements to the appearance of pedestrian access from Dayman’s Way and the bridge over the river.

It would like to see more car parking and more input towards environmental and energy efficiency on the site.

In conclusion it said: “Overall the scheme lacks vision and, in design terms, needs to make more use of its heritage as a brewery site in order to fulfil its legacy.”

Having “consulted closely with East Hampshire District Council and various other local stakeholders throughout the planning process on the site,” Cala confirmed that it has now submitted its “final planning application.” Adding that, “once planning permission is granted, CIL will be payable which the council could use towards creating new, or improving existing, community facilities”.