PLANS to convert the town’s former job centre into a block of flats have been withdrawn – for the third time in 18 months.

The latest proposal, concerning Crown Buildings in London Street, requested permission to change the premises use from office space to residential flats.

It was lodged with the borough council in January but less than two months later has been withdrawn.

This is understood to be due to concerns over noise from nearby buildings and concerns over parking and bin storage accessibility.

It comes after two previous applications for the same site were withdrawn in August 2018 and December 2019.

The first was submitted in July 2018 by Telereal Trillium and outlined plans to build 46 flats, comprising 35 one-beds and 11 two-beds, across all four floors of the building. However, the proposal was withdrawn a month later.

A subsequent application was lodged by Fairmist homes in October of last year.

This application excluded the ground floor of the site, which would have remained vacant for office space, and instead outlined plans for 38 flats, comprising 33 one-bed and five two-beds, across the top three floors of the building.

Again, though, the proposal was withdrawn. This time the U-turn came after Test Valley Borough Council’s environmental health team raised concerns over noise from nearby buildings affecting potential residents.

Fairmist Homes then submitted another application in the new year and again outlined plans to build 38 flats across the top three floors.

But before a decision could be issued by the borough council, the applicant withdraw the plans once more.

It came after the environmental health team had again raised concerns over protection from noise from neighbouring buildings.

Additional concerns were also raised by Hampshire County Council. The authority noted that clarification would be required in relation to the four tandem parking spaces proposed.

More detail would also need to be provided as to how refuse would be collected from the flats, amid concerns that a refuse vehicle would not be able to access and turn within the site safely.