Southsea retirement flats developer told to iron out wall dispute with residents

McCarthy & Stone, the company behind the creation of new retirement flats on the former Savoy buildings site in Southsea, wants to put up a wall around the development.

But residents in Alhambra Road, where the wall would go behind, are furious the firm pulled down the one that existed before without their permission, which they say was needed as they own the land.

And McCarthy & Stone was criticised for sending staff into people’s gardens to put up temporary fences while waiting for permission to build a permanent wall. The plans went before the council’s planning committee – which decided to put off making a decision until a later meeting so the company and residents can come to an agreement.

Speaking at the meeting, one neighbour said: ‘I don’t know how McCarthy & Stone can build a wall somewhere it doesn’t own. This is an ongoing thing which will go to a small claims court. McCarthy & Stone knows there is an ownership problem.’

But the agent acting on behalf of the development said: ‘The concern has been about one of ownership. But planning obligations have been met throughout. The wall came down because it was deemed unsafe.’