A SCHEME to convert the former post office in Hyde, Winchester, which residents had said contravened planning regulations, has won retrospective planning permission.

Neighbours were outraged, claiming that the proposals of Surrey-based developers, ILanbray Ltd, to turn the store and garage, on the corner of Danes Road and Egbert Road, into two flats and a single-storey property breached the original application.

They said the development, which was given the green light by the council last autumn, went against what had been agreed in a number of ways-including the fact that two levels were being put into the converted garage building in the form of a mezzanine floor and that windows had been installed in one side of the roof.

Now they are angry because the council has approved the developer's application to make the changes, which, they say, has turned the development into a "pig's ear".

Jonathan Greatrix, who lives in Egbert Road, was one of 10 residents who wrote to the planning department complaining about the breaches.

He said of the latest decision: "Why can't they take a tough line on everything that hasn't been approved? Why do these things even go to committee. It suggests to me that there is no consideration given to the conservation area or the planning process."

But, in their report, officers said: "The principle of the mezzanine floor in the garage is acceptable. It is unfortunate that this element was negotiated out of the previously approved scheme and then installed without permission."

It also stated that the windows, placed in the roof, though on a different side than had been agreed, were not considered to cause overlooking.

After the meeting, planning officer, Sian Proudlock, said: "The changes are very minimal and the mezzanine floor does not require planning permission."

Mrs Proudlock added that the former application was for three windows and they had put in two. "We've regularised what they've done. The alterations were minimal."