CONTROVERSIAL plans for a block of flats overlooking a common in Barton-on-Sea have been approved - despite 17 objections to the scheme.
A J Developments Ltd has been given permission to bulldoze a property at Barton Common Road and replace it with eight new homes.
The scheme was approved by 12 votes to four at a meeting of the district council’s planning committee.
Councillor Fran Carpenter said: “A block of flats would be the beginning of the end for this road. There are none there at the moment whatsoever.”
The committee’s vice-chairman, councillor Christine Ward, also voiced fears for the future of what she described as the “landmark” road.
She said: “We could end up with another Milford seafront, where beautiful houses have been replaced by ugly flats.”
Councillor Maureen Holding added: “Barton Common Road is part of a beautiful area. If we allow one block of flats to be built there we could end up with a whole row.”
But councillor David Harrison said improvements had been made to the original application.
He added: “What we have got now is an attractive design that will enhance the area.”
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