IMPROVEMENTS to the plan to build 500 houses on the former Louisburg Barracks site, in Bordon’s Station Road, have been suggested by town councillors.

The plan already has outline planning permission, but the town councillors were given a final chance to have their say on whether they approve it and on improvements they would like to see to make life better for the new residents.

These included: a bat hotel; disability play equipment; environmentally friendly streetlighting; speed limits on the estate; the planting of native species of plants and shrubs; town council management of green spaces; allotments and an orchard. Councillors were keen to see places of relaxation and enjoyment.

But there was a complaint that no shops had been included in the development “so the residents will have to walk down to One Stop”.

Speaking on behalf of developer Barratt David Wilson Homes, Stuart Goodwill said the houses would be in a quality development, with the 20 per cent that are affordable being undistinguishable from the others, which will include four and five-bedroomed properties.

Included in the development will be a heritage trail to keep in mind its historic links with the site’s past and, although some of the Army buildings are to be developed, Amherst House will be converted into four apartments.

Also, the development had been designed, he said, “so there will be no dark hiding holes for criminals to hide”. He added that it would be “a place where people are inspired to live”.

Council leader Adam Carew said: “This is an exciting development with a lot of the heritage element retained and I approve of the 20 per cent as affordable housing as our town has had a lot of affordable housing already. Also, I feel the car parking is generous.”

He was also glad that his worry over having native planting, instead of the species that had been planned, had been resolved.

He was concerned about the provision of the play areas, especially as The Phoenix Theatre and Arts Centre would be losing its field in the redevelopment.

He said he was “sad” there would not be the “community building which Barratt had offered, and which would have been an asset for people in the Pinewood community area”.

The problem with this 500-home development, said councillor David Cooper, was “it is a series of dormitories around a square and this needs to be sorted out as there is no connection between them”.

It was a shame, said councillor Roger Russell, that there was no provision in the plan for shops in the development “because local shops are important”.

“These residents will have to walk down to One Stop,” he said.

Deputy leader Tony Muldoon felt the development was good for the regeneration of the town, but he added: “I would like to have more larger houses.”

There was provision for 65 four and five-bedroom houses on the periphery of the site and 100 affordable homes, said Mr Goodwill.

Councillor Chris Mitchell was critical of the “modernistic style” of the houses, including bland tiling and fascias, which, he said, were boring but it was the only way to build to keep within the cost of the development.

“It is also sad we have to have three-storey houses in the countryside.”

On the subject of the size of the garages, councillor Mark Davison felt the houses with “tandem parking” might have trouble getting wheelie bins and bikes out past the car. This was no problem, said Mr Goodwill, as they had now widened the garages.

Mr Carew was pleased when the town council took over the management of the green spaces, allotments and orchard, which would be maintained to a high standard, the meeting heard.

A plea to protect the bats in the old wartime bunker near The Phoenix Theatre was made by Mr Carew but Mr Goodwill said: “Don’t worry we are building a bat hotel.”

Mr Carew asked: “Can we seal the bunker and leave a small opening because over wintering butterflies also live there?”

He also asked for secure fencing where the site joined Broxhead Common “as we don’t want people or dogs going across there and disturbing the wildlife”.

There was an almost unanimous “yes” vote for permission the with one exception - Mr Davison who voted against it.