Campaigners speak out on plan for Lymington police station

Campaigners have called for the site at Southampton Road, Lymington, to be used to provide housing for families, young couples, and people who need affordable homes.

Leaders of the Lymington Society have written to Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Donna Jones.

Their letter urges her to "take the wishes of the community into account" when disposing of the site instead of selling it to the highest bidder.

The police station will be replaced by 32 flats if the scheme is approved on appeal. Picture: Churchill Retirement Living. (Image: Churchill Retirement Living)

Churchill Retirement Living is seeking consent to replace the existing building with 32 apartments.

New Forest District Council rejected the application after receiving almost 80 letters of objection and a petition signed by more than 1,400 people, but the company has lodged an appeal. The outcome could decide who ultimately buys the site.

The Lymington Society's letter says the town "neither needs nor wants" more flats for the elderly.

It adds: "The purpose of this letter is to ask you as custodian of this public asset to take into account the wishes of the community and to require any purchaser or development partner for this site to prioritise the delivery of family and affordable housing.

Donald Mackenzie is chairman of the Lymington Society.

"We appreciate you will wish to maximise the receipt for the asset but you also have a responsibility to the community you serve, and their wishes are clear."

Don Mackenzie, the Society's chairman, said Lymington already had a much greater share of the district’s retirement homes than other towns.

He added: "The financial muscle power of retirement developers gives them a huge advantage over conventional housing providers, meaning they are always likely to outbid other developers.

"This is leading to a totally unbalanced supply of new homes in the town, creating an older and older population which is then used to justify more retirement homes.

"The Society hopes Hampshire police will support the local community rather than sell to the highest bidder."

Churchill says the site is in a highly accessible location, making it suitable for older people, and will make a positive and sustainable contribution to the local economy.

Crime commissioner Ms Jones said: “Pending the outcome of Churchill’s appeal, the contract of sale is still in force and I am unable to amend it.”