Brighton Hill Basingstoke retirement housing to new homes

Plans from Sovereign Network Group have been approved to demolish Malmesbury Field, at Stanford Road in Brighton Hill, to build a mixture of houses and flats, associated car parking, cycle parking, landscaping and other associated works.

The application, which was first received in September 2022, shows plans for three one-bed flats, six two-bed flats, four two-bed houses, six three-bed houses and two four-bed houses on the 0.41-hectare site, with 40 per cent affordable housing.

The plans (Image: Sovereign Housing Association planning application)

The planning statement reads: “This was built in the 1950’s and 1960’s and is no longer able to meet the housing needs of the communities served, nor is it in line with acceptable modern standards of accommodation.

“For example, the building does not currently have a lift, meaning that much of it is inaccessible and unsuitable for disabled residents.”

The current two-storey building has 40 dwellings, made up of 27 single bedsits, 12 one-bedroom flats and one two-bedroom flat with 11 parking spaces.

The current site (Image: Google Maps)

The new development will include 27 parking spaces and 61 cycle spaces.

The application received several neighbour comments in objection, citing issues of a lack of parking, elderly home provision and the appearance of the new development.

Suzanne Cooper commented: "With people living longer, but not necessarily fitter, more accommodation for single elderly people will be needed."

She explained that suitable sheltered accommodation for the elderly in Brighton Hill is 'poor.'

Emma Marshall explained that the development is 'too big for the area' with flats that are 'too high.' This concern was shared by other residents who were concerned that new homes would cause disturbance and a lack of privacy to surrounding houses.

Tracey Calder commented: "Sovereign say they wish to create a happy community however car parking shortages are one of the main areas for disputes among neighbours causing anxiety, friction and conflict."

To view the application, go to planning.basingstoke.gov.uk/online-applications and search 22/02519/FUL.