'˜It will be brilliant': Residents support plans for old Gosport police station development

Developers behind the proposals met with residents at a consultation day in Gosport High Street, where people could find out more about the scheme and discuss any concerns they had.

The 10-storey block would also include 330sqm of commercial space on the ground floor.

After the police station closed last year, residents say they are happy that something is being done in the area.

Doug Potter, 75, said: '˜The plans overall are actually very nice.

'˜It's a redundant site now so I am glad that something is being done to tidy it up.

'˜It is also opposite some other high rise blocks so I think it will blend in quite nicely.'

Tricia Thurston, 69, said: '˜I think it will be brilliant.

'˜The place is an eyesore at the moment so it's a good idea; I like that it has got colour and even rooftop apartments.

'˜I only see one problem, that being that we would have to do something about the roads because getting out of Gosport in the morning is already a nightmare and this will add to the traffic leaving the town.'

Dale Fletcher, 38, said: I think it's a really exciting development for Gosport.

'˜It's good that it will have the balance of commercial and residential space '“ I would love to see a few bars and restaurants to boost our nighttime economy.'

But not everyone was fully convinced by the plans.

Alan Rogers, 72, is a landlord for some nearby flats.

He said: '˜My tenants are already concerned about the loss of light and invasion of privacy because of how tall it is.

'˜If a highrise development went into a conservation area like this, I think it could set a precedent for the future.

'˜One of the key characteristics of Gosport is the open sky and I think it would be a shame to lose that.'

Meanwhile, Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has described the proposal as '˜fascinating'.

She said: '˜I had no idea the site was so big, so today has been a real eye-opener.

'˜It's really useful to speak to the developers to ask the questions people have, and it's clear they want to bring life back to the high street.

'˜We can't complain about how our high street is suffering and them complain when an alternative is presented.'

Plans are set to be submitted to Gosport Borough Council later this month.