Winchester planners urge rejection of redevelopment of Bereweeke Court

Jamie Pearson, of Archel Homes, has applied to Winchester City Council for permission to demolish Bereweeke Court, a former care home in Bereweeke Road, and redevelop the site for 32 flats with 18 parking places. The application was first submitted in August last year, and previously proposed 36 flats, with the number being reduced during the planning procedure.

The application says that 40 per cent of the flats will be affordable housing, with the plans also covering alterations to site access, substation, hard and soft landscaping, and other associated works.

Council planning officers are recommending that the plans be refused.

CGI of the proposed development (Image: Archel Homes)

READ MORE: Number of objections double for plans to turn former care home into 36 flats

Winchester City Council’s planning committee will discuss the application on Wednesday, October 16.

The plans have divided public opinion, with the city council receiving 65 objections since it was first submitted, and 52 letters in support – with the officers’ report noting that 27 of the supporting letters came from addresses within the Winchester district.

The City of Winchester Trust said it had reservations about possible overdevelopment, as well as the number of parking places.

Marie Halls, of Bereweeke Close, objected to the plans over fears the proposed development would be overbearing, saying: “The proposed apartment building is not in keeping with other buildings in the area. Its height and mass looms above and overlooks surrounding properties.

“The inadequate parking provision is unrealistic for the residents of 32 apartments who, although not car owners themselves, must reasonably be expected to receive visitors and deliveries in cars. There would be further parking pressures on surrounding roads.”

Jonathan Santer, also of Bereweeke Close, called the plans “a large additional imposition on the surrounding area”, adding: “The lack of parking spaces for the number of properties is also a real issue still. It is particularly naïve to think that having so few spaces for residence would not have a significant knock-on effect on nearby roads.

“This is a total over-development of the site.”

Emma Kelly-Anderson, Church Street, Ropley, supported the plans, writing: “I support the application because it is in a good location, near places such as colleges and a train station.

CGI of the proposed development (Image: Archel Homes)

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“It is also affordable, which is helpful because Winchester is an expensive area.”

Amelia Lancaster, of Adler Close, said: I support the application because it would be beneficial for younger people, especially university students, who are looking for affordable accommodation.”

The application will be discussed by the planning committee on October 16.

The full details of the plans can be found by visiting the Winchester City Council online planning portal and searching using reference 23/02001/FUL.