A THREE-bedroom house in Popley could soon be transformed into a flat and a maisonette, if the plan is given the green light by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

A two-bedroom maisonette and a one-bedroom flat have been proposed at the property – 104 Melrose Walk – after the planning application was submitted by applicant, Mr Benjamin Inker, on December 17.

If approved, the ground floor flat would be accessed through the front of the existing building and the two-bedroom maisonette would be accessed through a separate rear entrance.

Occupants of the two properties, if approved, will also have three car parking spaces, one within the rear garden and two outside the property on a verge directly behind the rear garden.

But two borough councillors for Popley West have expressed concern at potential problems that could be caused by the development.

In a report to the borough council’s development control committee, Councillor Jane Frankum said: “I object to this application as there is not enough room in the small back garden to accommodate one car, two green bins, two black bins, two glass collection and cycles.”

When talking about how the plan will use public space to park the other two cars planned for the site, she added: “This would result in the children who use this route to their schools – infant, junior and senior – having to walk in the road.”

Cllr Paul Frankum added: “I agree with Cllr Jane Frankum on this application and would add that when Melrose Walk was built, the design balanced the number of flats and houses and already the balance has changed and resulted in a loss of three-bedroom family homes that are much-needed in the community, and created more vehicles parking in a thoughtless and dangerous manner.”

The outcome of the application will be decided by members of the borough council at a development control committee on January 15.