PLANS for flats and shops to be built on a car park in Petersfield town centre have been approved by planners.
Peter Estates can now demolish the garages around the car park behind shops at the War Memorial end of High Street, and put up two buildings with retail outlets on the ground floor and 13 flats above.
One of the three storey blocks will have shops facing on to Dragon Street and they be linked to the existing Dolphin Court flats, while the others will be in the car park area. There will be a courtyard area between them.
But Dolphin Court residents say the seated area in the courtyard will create problems, and parking spaces in the car park will be dramatically reduced.
One said: “I am opposed to the seating as it will encourage anti-social behaviour, especially at night, and I consider the new parking proposals completely unworkable. All of the 18 flats in Dolphin Court should be issued with a 24 hour parking permit.”
The plans were approved by East Hampshire District Council’s planning committee, rather than the body responsible for planning in Petersfield, South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA).
A SDNPA spokesman said: “Although it is a major development, within the Conservation Area, and in the centre of Petersfield on a previously developed site, it has been identified within the Petersfield Neighbourhood Plan as a site with potential to accommodate in the region of 18 dwellings.
“The SDNPA authorised that this application could be determined by EHDC.”