CIVIC chiefs are planning to redevelop a site previously occupied by a Hampshire mental health charity that closed after running out of money.
New Forest District Council has submitted proposals to bulldoze a former house at Salisbury Road, Totton, and replace it with 20 affordable flats.
The building was formerly occupied by It's Your Choice, which used it as an office before moving to nearby Junction Road.
As reported in the Daily Echo, the charity helped around 1,000 young people a year.
Despite seeing a 45 per cent increase in demand, It's Your Choice closed its doors in April last year after the pandemic left it short of donations and other sources of finance.
Council bosses have drawn up proposals to replace the Salisbury Road building with five two-bedroom flats and 15 one-bedroom homes.
The application, which will be decided by the authority's own planning committee, says the site comprises two adjoining plots.
"One is completely vacant and the other contains a two-storey property converted to an office for a charity in the late 1990s.
"The charity relocated and this site is also vacant.
"Given the plots are not in use, but well located on the edge of the town centre, the council wishes to take the opportunity to provide a mix of much-needed affordable housing."
READ MORE: Totton-based charity It's Your Choice set to close next week
The application says no car parking will be provided for people living in the proposed new flats.
"NFDC considers that this site occupies a sustainable central location with easy access to public transport. The wealth of parking near the site also offers plenty of opportunity for residents to own a car and park it within a convenient distance.
"The site has the opportunity to make a definitive contribution to the townscape."
Speaking shortly before It's Your Choice closed Mike Taylor, chairman of trustees, said: "We have explored all opportunities to identify funding and held off making this decision until it was clear that no agency, and no major Trust or donor, would provide us with the income needed.
"This is despite making a strong case for funding and providing details of the damaging impact the ending of all our services will have."
READ MORE: Former club in Salisbury Road, Totton, demolished to make way for affordable housing
Totton councillor David Harrison added: "Losing It's Your Choice means more pressure on remaining services that are already under great strain and some people failing to get the support they need."
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