THE decision on whether to allow a developer to demolish the former Alresford Police Station and build luxury apartments has been deferred.

Developer McCarthy and Stone wants to transform the site into 15 retirement properties, with a further five on adjacent land at Station Mill.

The application went before Winchester City Council’s planning committee but has been deferred to a planning viewing subcommittee.

Members will visit the site on June 11 before heading back to the Guildhall to make their decision.

Officers are currently recommending refusal.

They say the conversion of the mill offers no replacement employment and does not fill the criteria of Local Plan Part One, is over dominant, over domesticated for the setting and would mean a loss of historic fabric.