PLANS have been approved to demolish a Winchester house and replace it with 12 new homes, despite a number of objections.

The proposal, for 15 Chilbolton Avenue, will see 10 two-bedroom apartments and two three-bedroom properties built at the site.

Members of Winchester City Council's planning committee discussed the development following dozens of objections from residents, the City of Winchester Trust, and city councillor for the St Paul's ward (which includes Chilbolton Avenue) Lucille Thompson.

Criticisms included a loss of amenity for neighbours, overbearing designs and increased traffic on what is already a busy road.

Following the unanimous approval of the planning committee, the plans will now see the two two-storey blocks of apartments built at the front of the land, onto Chilbolton Avenue, with a walkway in between to access the two houses located at the rear.

Criticising the plans, Cllr Thompson said: "This site has been the subject of a number of applications coming forward during the last few years, all of the objections have concentrated around the loss of amenity to the neighbouring property at No 15A.

"The orientation of the proposed application and the fact that it includes balconies means that the garden and patio area of No 15A will be severely overlooked.

"Chilbolton Avenue has seen an enormous amount of development in recent years and yet it has not enjoyed any improvement in terms of a reduction in traffic speed and measures to improve the safety of cycling and walking. The extra vehicular movements that this kind of development will produce onto what is already a busy and fast road without any corresponding reduction in speed,

is unacceptable."