AJC Group slams New Forest District Council refusal of plans for former Becton Centre site at Barton, near New Milton

A DEVELOPER has slammed the “surprisingly swift” refusal of plans to turn a former Barton NHS site into 31 flats.

As reported in the A&T, developer AJC Group proposed demolishing the now vacant Becton Centre in The Fairway and building a three-storey block of one, two and three-bedrooms flats.

But planning officers at New Forest District Council have thrown out the application, citing a catalogue of reasons including impact on neighbours, existing protected trees and the character of the area.

David Cracklen, director of AJC Group, said: “We are very disappointed in the surprisingly swift refusal of our planning application to redevelop the former Becton Centre.

“This is a derelict building deemed not fit for purpose and being sold by the NHS. It is a brownfield site offering the potential for replacement with a quality residential development.”

An NFDC officer’s report said there was a “fundamental policy objection” to the application due to a lack of any affordable housing, and pointed to a proposed “overdevelopment” of the site.

“A significant proportion of the site would be given over to car parking and hard surface, and as such, this would result in an intensive development,” stated the decision report.

“The proximity of the building to existing properties and the excessive number of flats would lead to harmful levels of overlooking.”

Officers went on to say the likelihood of future occupants of the flats pushing for on-site trees to be either removed or significantly cut back was high, which in turn could threaten their “health and long term survival”.

“For these reasons a tree objection is raised,” said the report.

Insufficient detail on how an appropriate drainage system strategy could be achieved was also highlighted by officers, and it was said there was a lack of mitigation measures with regard to habitats and air quality impacts. Furthermore, no contributions had been forthcoming for local education provision.

Mr Cracklen said it was “noticeable” NFDC did not try to engage with AJC and “merely offered us the opportunity to withdraw the application or take a refusal”.

He also drew attention to comments made by New Milton mayor Cllr David Hawkins, who said the plans would turn the site into a “hellhole”.

“Perhaps the inflammatory comments about the redevelopment of this site from the mayor are coincidental?” Mr Cracklen said. “We are immensely proud of our multi-award-winning reputation for improving the quality and quantity of affordable and social housing across the region that we too call home, and will now be considering all available options.”

AJC planning director Simon McFarlane said the scheme would have generated hundreds of thousands in local funds.

“Our plans for the Becton Centre site would deliver £475,000 towards community infrastructure, as well as introducing more diversity in the type of housing available in Barton.

“The redundant former hospital is in a sustainable location and would be an excellent site to contribute towards New Forest District Council’s planning and housing objectives.”

NFDC received 17 objections from locals and no comments in favour. Residents had echoed many of the council’s concerns, adding there was inadequate parking provision on the site, which would lead to more cars being left on surrounding streets.

They also said the flats would exacerbate increasingly high levels of traffic in the area, and lead to the risk of more road accidents.