PLANS to convert Petersfield Jobcentre into shops and flats are with South Downs National Park planners.

It was announced earlier this year that the lease on the Jobcentre in Chapel Street was due to end and that the Department for Work and Pensions planned to move staff and services to Havant Jobcentre.

Webber Holdings, led by Michael Webber, own the building and plans to convert it into three ground floor shops with six flats above.

Surveyor John Butcher of Hemplands Lane in Privett is agent for the project, which will see the single story rear extension demolished, the ground floor offices turned into shops, and the upper floors extended and converted into flats.

In a report, national park planners said entry to the shops would be from the footpath that leads from Chapel Street to the car park behind the Jobcentre.

But the proposal has attracted criticism from those living nearby.

In an objection to planners, Harriet Wheeldon said: “I object to the commercial space. There are lots of empty commercial properties in Petersfield, especially on Chapel Street, so what demand is there for these?

“What type of retail are they going to be? A food outlet or cafe would be most unwelcome.

“How do they propose these premises are serviced, as delivery lorries will exacerbate the subsidence issues in that area?

“The footpath proposal will create unwanted congestion and there is already a huge shortage of parking in the area.”

Mr Webber is a barrister and chartered accountant and from 1972 to 2007 was a leading representative for British television and musical talent.

He also set up the financial arm of the USA based International Management Group (IMG), which represents music and sporting stars and also launched IMG Artists, which has grown to be one of the world’s largest classical music management firms.

In 1987 he founded Webber Holdings, which now owns properties throughout the UK, from Edinburgh to Southsea. Over the past

few years he has been converting the properties for use as shops, homes and offices.The Jobcentre plans can be viewed on the South Downs National Park planning search web page, reference SDNP/16/03778/FUL