Residents in revamp fight (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Residents in revamp fight

11:54am Thursday 15th May 2008 in

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DETERMINED residents are vowing to fight a £32million housing plan which they say threatens open spaces and car parking spots in their Basingstoke suburb.

Locals are happy with Sentinel Housing Association's proposal to demolish 120 maisonettes in the Maldive Road area of Popley for redevelopment, but some have branded its plan to squeeze in 237 new apartments, houses and shops as "over-development".

At a residents' meeting, Jill Wright, 67, voiced her concern about Sentinel taking green spaces in the area for new buildings.

The Lundy Close resident said: "We are not against the redevelopment of Madeira and Faroe Close - it's the new build we object too."

Eric Fothergill, of Ascension Close, said: "We have got no problem with them knocking down the flats and rebuilding them, but half the flats are empty. No one wants to take them, so why they want to build more, I don't know."

The 69-year-old said he felt Sentinel had not consulted residents properly about the plans it submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Peter Wai, 52, owner of Peter's Fish and Chip Shop, was unhappy about a proposed new building going on top of car parking spaces outside the Madeira Close shopping parade.

Paul Chong, speaking for Mr Wai, said: "Immediately in front of the fish and chip shop, they're taking 17 spaces away."

This would cause parking and traffic problems for existing residents, he said.

Mr Chong called it "over-development", adding: "The area is ripe for redevelopment. What we object to is the design."

The residents have started a petition and are lobbying politicians. Popley East councillor Andrew McCormick called Sentinel's plans "seriously flawed" and wants the housing association to hold a public meeting with residents.

He said: "We want to get this right and we want to get it right first time.

"There's no point putting in plans no one wants."

Sentinel communications manager Steve Murphy maintained that the housing association had consulted residents "extensively" over the past couple of years about the project and would meet them again tomorrow.

He said: "There are a high number of family homes we are proposing, but the highest is no higher than the others there and the density is in keeping with other properties of that sort in Basingstoke, certainly no worse than Merton Rise."

The existing green space was of little amenity value, but its development would create a recreation ground with a full-size sports pitch, wildlife area and landscaping, he added.