Plan to replace Bishop's Waltham petrol station with homes rejected

As previously reported, Chris Southcott, of developer Maxwell Homes Winchester, applied to Winchester City Council for permission to demolish the former Esso garage in Winchester Street, Bishop’s Waltham, and replace it with six houses.

He initially submitted a planning application at the start of the year, which was later withdrawn and replaced with new plans in June.

Esso, Bishop's Waltham (Image: Google Street View)

READ MORE: Bishop's Waltham: New plans for six homes to replace petrol station

The new plans were criticised with seven objections, with three letters of support also being received by the city council.

Emma Rosling, of Botley Road, objected to the plans due to concerns of overdevelopment. She said: “Cramming in 6 houses of only a room's width is too much for such a constrained site. It will be visible from the important Palace ruins and this has not been properly addressed in the application.”

Robert Shields, of Hoe Road, also objected, saying: “Overall the concept of providing attractive houses on the derelict brownfield site so close to the town centre is welcomed.

“HOWEVER, although the application states ‘The height and mass of the development is contained within the constraints of the surrounding buildings’, this is not true.

“There are (and will be) no surrounding buildings of this height. Indeed, the main view of the development will be across the North Pond which it will dominate.”

Dr Marian Read, also of Hoe Road, supported the plans, saying: “I am very glad to see that this unsightly brownfield site is going to be used for 6 new homes, much needed in this area where planning restrictions force up property prices so that local workers can't afford to buy a family home. The site is ideal: close to the High Street, right next to Sainsbury's, walking distance from the Primary School and GP Surgery, and the existing filling station access gives a safe entry and exit point on to the main road.”

The proposed design of the houses (Image: WCC)

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Winchester City Council planners decided to reject the plans on October 1.

The decision documents notes that the scale of the proposed development “would not successfully integrate with the locality and would result in unacceptable harm to the significance of the setting and historic interest of the Scheduled Monument”.

The report also mentions that the proposal “will harm the character and appearance of the conservation area”, and that the application did not have any details of noise mitigation measures.

It is not currently known if Mr Southcott will appeal the decision.