A PROPOSAL to transform a police station into a residential complex for the elderly has been scrapped.

Churchill Retirement Living hoped to redevelop Bitterne police station in Southampton to create a four-storey, 34-apartment building designed for those aged 60 years old and over.

The development in Bursledon Road would have consisted of 23 one-bedroom and 11 two-bedroom apartments.

However, locals accused the developers Planning Issues Limited of creating a plan that was “completely out of character with the surrounding area, overbearing, and oppressive”.

Bitterne police station closed to the public in July 2016, with its services transferred to Portswood police station.

It came as part of the centralisation of investigation departments to Southampton Central police.

Within the application, the firm said: “The company designs and builds specialised residential accommodation aimed at a very specific market and this naturally involves some constraints within its design brief. Its developments include self contained one and two bedroom apartments, each with it’s own kitchen and bathroom that enable the owners to enjoy an independent life style.

“Importantly however these apartments share communal facilities including an owners lounge, guest suite and refuse room which encourage interaction and the establishment of a community spirit within the building.”

Objections were raised by residents including Nigel Hecks, of West End Road.

He said: “While I do not object to the principle of developing this site for residential use the density, scale and appearance are not satisfactory. ”

Other complaints included the parking conditions should the complex be built and the size of the building itself.

Another said: “This height of building in this position will overpower the whole area, and being twice as high as neighbouring properties.

“With full occupancy the

proposed development would have 90 occupants and with most couples of this age there is normally at least one vehicle for each flat.“The planning has made provision for 13 vehicles, and this is for visitors as well as any emergency vehicles that could be required.”

Hilary Lancaster, of Bursledon Road, added: “The proposed building is too tall. Four storeys is too much for the location when compared with surrounding properties.”

Southampton City Council rejected the plan on grounds of its overdevelopment and height.