THE police training centre in Netley Abbey is to be turned into new homes.

Civic chiefs in Eastleigh approved plans to transform the Osborne Quarters Police Training Centre into 30 two-bedroom homes with access from Hound Road.

This comes after the front office at Eastleigh police station was closed for good last month.

The buildings in Netley Abbey are more than 100 years old and were used for policing purposes for decades, including as offices for the HR and the ITC teams.

Now town bosses have backed the proposal put forward by Bournemouth-based Juno Developments saying there were more advantages than disadvantages.

David Airey, councillor for Netley ward, said: "They are buildings we want to see retained and residential is the only viable way to do that. Thirty is about the right number of houses because if we get fewer houses they would be bigger which will encourage more families and will mean more cars and more traffic."

As previously reported, the plans sparked a heated debate among residents who said to be concerned about the impact the scheme would have on traffic and the character of the area.

Eddie Hill, one of the directors at Juno, said some traffic calming measures which could include rumble strips will be put in place.

And added:"The residents of Hound Road were worried about the increasing in traffic and we ordered some traffic calming measures where Hound Road ends and the Royal Victoria Country Park starts."

Mr Hill said the character of the buildings will be retained and the green space outside will be for the community to use.

"We are really excited and looking forward to brining the buildings back to their former glory and have them occupied," Mr Hill added.