Bishop's Waltham Esso plans get objections from the public

Chris Southcott, of developer Maxwell Homes Winchester, wants to demolish the former Esso garage in Winchester Road.

The garage closed in around 2015 and the six homes would all have three bedrooms. 

By Tuesday, January 16, 12 public objections had been sent to Winchester City Council with three supporting comments. 

Jos Creese, of Rareridge Lane, said: “What Bishop's Waltham badly needs are smaller local shops and in particular places to eat and spaces to enjoy. This area is particularly important as it is the entrance to the town, and it should be a statement of the character of Bishop's Waltham. Three storey townhouses with a few trees does not do that.

READ MORE: PureGym Winchester plan: Councillor calls for planning committee

“This is a prime spot close to the Bishop's Waltham pond, on the edge of town, opposite the palace ruins. It needs a totally different design, and potentially less commercially driven decision for the appropriate use of the land.”

Carol Parker, of Clover Way, said: “My objections are the plans look out of character, too modern, too high and overcrowded. They are not in keeping with the surrounding properties especially so close to the castle ruins. I do appreciate the site needs redevelopment but more thought and attention should be applied to the beautiful North Pond and the ruins opposite. The site is the gateway to the town centre after all.”

Supporter Sue Curtis, of Rareridge Close, said: “This is a larger site than it appears at first glance from the road and I consider a six three bed terrace of houses with small rear gardens and 13 parking spaces to be an acceptable level of development density. The single access to Winchester Road for the occupants and visitors to six properties is no worse than when the site contained a fuel station with small shop with regular queues out onto the road.

“The design does not conflict with any neighbouring properties as there are none - there are blocks of flats on the far side of the Station Roundabout and two storey houses and bungalows in Malt Lane which is behind Sainsburys with no visual connection.

“I cannot see a reason why this application should detract in any way from the local area and visual approach to Bishop's Waltham.”

Bishop's Waltham Parish Council will be discussing the application on Tuesday, January 30. 

The application's planning statement said: “The site forms a prominent location on the outskirts of the town and built up street frontage. Winchester Road is the main road into Bishop's Waltham and is a traditional main trunk road providing access to housing and links back to the main village centre. The site is close to the local facilities and amenities and is within 200 metres of Bishop's Waltham town centre.

“The proposals provide the opportunity to develop a brownfield site that has been left redundant and derelict for many years.”

For more details on the scheme, search 23/02631/FUL on Winchester City Council's online planning portal.