First glimpse at developer's bid for 140 homes at former Gosport police station

Developers are hoping to win planning permission for the 10-storey block in South Street, Gosport, after the station was shut last year.

CGI drawn up by architects show how the development would mainly be a seven-storey block, with balconies, a sun terrace toward the south and other communal terrace and green space.

Images appear to show a garden area on the roof of the building.

The homes would be one and two-bedroom apartments.

JP Developments, which is due to submit the plan in September, has launched a consultation asking for residents' views before the bid is put in.

The site would include 330sqm of commercial space.

Councillors at Gosport Borough Council would decide on the plans if they reach its regulatory board.

The council needs between 700-900 homes in the town area to meet its house-building requirement.

Councillor Mark Hook, borough council leader, said he welcomed the move but wanted some aspects to be cut in height to fit in with surrounding buildings.

'˜I can understand that the developer is setting out what they want '“ it seems open to negotiation,' he said.

'˜I like the mixed-use site, with commercial as well as the residential but I think the height needs looking at.

'˜I think there needs to be some work done here but in principle the idea of a mix-use site is one which we would support.'

Cllr Hook said the building should fall into line with the height of other buildings, particularly toward the high street and opposing buildings.

He added homes are needed in the borough to provide accommodation for people in the town.

'˜Until we can house everyone that wants to be house there's no alternative,' he said.

'˜The nice thing about a town centre development is the public transport is there.'

As reported, neighbourhood police moved to Gosport's town hall, with 999 response officers based at Fareham Reach, in Fareham Road.

Hampshire police has made around £48m selling off police buildings, including Southsea station.

The Highland Road station is set to become 18 homes.

Graham Jacobs, JP Developments director said: 'We are delighted to be part of the redevelopment of Gosport town centre and we are committed to working in conjunction with Gosport Borough Council to invest time, money and effort in delivering this site for the benefit of the borough and in order to kick-start Gosport's wider regeneration aspirations.'

The consultation starts at a drop-in event at 130 High Street, Gosport, between 10am to 8pm on Tuesday.

Find out more and comment on the Warsash-based developer's plan at gosportpolicestation.co.uk