RESIDENTS are objecting to amended plans submitted by a developer to build the second phase of a major development in Whitchurch.

Barratt David Wilson Homes is looking to build 183 houses, associated parking, and a GP surgery as part of the phase two extension to Mill Springs.

The developer was initially planning to build 201 houses, as per the original plans submitted in November 2022, this has now been reduced to 183 in the amended plans submitted in January this year.

The developer said in its updated application that the amendments are due to extensive consultation with various stakeholders and feedback from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) and its consultees, Whitchurch Town Council and the public.

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It has also changed the plans for the GP surgery from 'detailed' to 'outline' in the amended application.

This means the plans for the GP surgery are less detailed than a full application.

The developer said it decided to change the plans for GP surgery since a binding contract is still not in place for the site.

The developer said in a letter: “While discussions with the local doctor’s surgery in Whitchurch are ongoing and positive, due to the protracted process of securing NHS strategic funding, a binding contract is still not in place. Therefore designing the building specification for the surgery is challenging without this contract being in place and submitting this element in outline rather than detail is preferred.

“The delivery of the doctors’ surgery will be secured via the section 106 legal agreement.”

Because of this, Barratt David Wilson Homes has proposed to amend the application type from a full planning application to a hybrid one comprising part full planning permission and part outline permission.

Despite the reduction in the number of houses, nearly 50 people have objected to the proposal since it has been updated on BDBC’s planning portal.

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However, Whitchurch Town Council raised no objection to the hybrid planning application.

Sarah Weir, on behalf of the town council, wrote: “The council supports the nine per cent reduction in numbers and the 40 per cent affordable homes. The council also support the cascade approach to the medical centre which reserves it for the period of the outline permission (three years) for Two Rivers Medical Partnership; then it is offered to another medical user for a year; then an alternative community use to be decided by the community for a year; then if no users are found after this five year process the site returns to the landowner/developer.”

To see this planning application, search with reference number 22/03219/FUL on BDBC’s planning portal.