Public voice concerns over proposed plans of a Gosport shopping precinct

As reported by The News, a planning application was submitted last month to Gosport Borough Council by Zionstone in a bid to convert 10 three-bedroom flats at Carisbrooke Road shopping precinct.

The £2m plans would see the flats converted into 27 one-bedroom flats, a two-bedroom flat, and the building of two new three-bedroom houses.

The designs also include more car park spaces and extend the area of the Co-Operative supermarket by around 53 square metres.

There is also a proposal to add an extra storey to the original building.

Councillor Stephen Philpott, ward councillor for Peel Common, expressed his concern over the planning application when plans were first revealed and wrote to local residents.

Cllr Philpott, told The News received letters from 61 people regarding the application, with five people supporting it and 56 against.

He said: ‘When a planning application goes in, I very rarely get as many letters as that.

‘I think the planning application does not fit into the local plan and does not offer an acceptable number of houses.

‘It looks, to me, an over development. Although there will be car parking space, I do not think there will be enough to go around.

‘They will be used by residents and the people who work in the shops and then there will have to be enough space for customers,

‘My main concern is the long-term viability of the shopping centre.

‘I cannot think of the last time there were empty units there and do not want to see that change.’

Lauren Aktins, managing director of Zionstone, said parking would not be affected because the number of spaces would increase from 22 to 59.

Resident Carol Andrews said: ‘I think this development is far too large for this precinct. There will be a significant rise in cars.’