CONTROVERSIAL plans to redevelop a laundry complex in Winton into dozens of houses and flats are set to be approved next week.

Parking concerns have prompted dozens of people to object to Aspire Property Holdings’ proposals for the Berendsen site in Castle Road.

But despite this, councillors are being recommended to grant planning permission when they consider the scheme on Thursday (June 27).

The application seeks permission for the demolition of the industrial buildings on the road to make way for a development of 27 houses and a four-storey block of 14 flats.

Fifteen of the homes would have two bedrooms with six each having three and four bedrooms. Most of the flats would be two-bedroom.

None would be ‘affordable’ despite the council having a 40 per cent target after it was judged that the development would be unviable if it included any.

Provision is included in the plans for 38 parking spaces with about half being unallocated.

The developer said the site had been marketed for commercial use for over a year prior to plans being submitted but the only interest was from residential developers.

However, 29 letters of objection have been submitted to BCP Council, requiring a decision to be made by members of the planning committee.

Concerns centre mainly on a shortage of parking provision included in the plans and the “dominating” size of the proposed block of flats.

Stuart Summers, who lives in Denmark Road, said: “We feel everybody in the area is quite happy for this area to be returned to residential housing.

“What we are all opposed to is the site being exploited for profit by developers and the local council.

“The laundry closing is an opportunity to improve the area for future generations, enhancing the atmosphere and feel of a usually dirty, noisy suburb where we as residents have suffered in silence for many years.”

Despite their concerns, a report published ahead of the meeting next week recommends that planning permission be granted.

“The scheme provides residential development in a sustainable location on brownfield land,” it says.

“There will continue to be an ongoing need to look for sites in the urban area such as this to meet housing demand.

“The lack of parking is acknowledged…whilst there is a shortfall when assessed against the council’s policy, the overall shortfall has been significantly reduced when compared to the current use.”

Should the development be approved, final designs of the scheme will have to be approved in a separate application before any construction work can start on the site.