Ageas Bowl: Public consultation on development plans closes

Planning permission is being sought for 185 a 71-bed care home, and a 142-bed budget hotel at the proposed site of Marshall Drive in West End.

The public consultation closes today and a decision on the plans is set to be made on October 31.

People living and working in the area have fiercely opposed the plans since its inception, with many describing it as an ‘eyesore’.

An artist's impression of the proposed new wellbeing centre at the Ageas Bowl (Image: Calderpeel Architects)

Hedge End Town Council lodged an objection, claiming the scheme amounts to overdevelopment and warning of the potential impact on the local infrastructure.

READ MORE: Residents 'up in arms' about Ageas Bowl development

Those living in West End are also urging Eastleigh Borough Council to reject the plans.

A resident said the area is ‘already overcome with congestion issues, school application demands, removal of green spaces, increase in pollution and lack of access to NHS services’.

One objection cited the impact the proposals will have on wildlife.

Another protestor said West End is not big enough to cope with the proposed infrastructure.

She said: “The area is also not big enough to cope with the increased number of residents.

“Public services (GP surgeries for example) are already stretched and more housing will exacerbate the problem.”