HAMPSHIRE'S crime commissioner has hit out at delays surrounding the sale and redevelopment of land occupied by a former police station.

McCarthy Stone has submitted two applications to build retirement apartments at Jones Lane, Hythe, but both schemes have been rejected by New Forest District Council.

The police station closed several years ago and is turning into an overgrown eyesore, according to people living nearby.

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: "Having sites like this sat vacant for long periods of time is far from ideal. It is not good for the local area and that is a concern to me.

"It is frustrating that not one but two applications have failed to get the support of NFDC.

Daily Echo: The former police station at Jones Lane, Hythe. The former police station at Jones Lane, Hythe.

"In an ideal scenario the council and the developer would work together to iron out issues in advance of the planning committee meeting to ensure a re-use of the site as quickly as possible so as not to blight the local area.

"My office have done all they can to be patient and give both the council and the developer the time they need to agree a scheme."

The police station was put up for sale in 2017 and McCarthy Stone decided to buy it, subject to securing consent for retirement flats. Last year the company announced it had withdrawn its interest in the land after seeing two applications rejected.

But Ms Jones said McCarthy Stone were "still interested" in the site.

At a recent council meeting the ruling Tories said the authority wanted to provide affordable housing at various locations across the district, including Jones Lane.

The council leader, Cllr Edward Heron, is due to meet Ms Jones in the next few weeks to discuss the future of the land.

Daily Echo: The second of two applications rejected by the council. Picture: McCarthy Stone.The second of two applications rejected by the council. Picture: McCarthy Stone.

In a statement the council said: "It is important that brownfield sites are redeveloped to provide much-needed homes within the district. The planning authority will continue to work with the land owner to agree an acceptable form of development for this site."

McCarthy Stone declined to comment.

Plans to build 35 retirement flats were rejected in 2018 after sparking 76 letters of objection. A revised scheme was refused in 2020.

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