PLANS to turn a former school in Hartley Wintney into a care home has divided opinions.

Hart District Council are considering an application for Grey House Preparatory School, on Mount Pleasant, to be turned into a 25-bed care home and 22 extra care apartments.

It would see the existing building, plus three outbuildings, demolished, and replaced by two buildings - the care home and apartment block.

The plans detail that both would be three storeys high, with parking available in the apartment block's basement.

And whilst Hartley Wintney Parish Council supported the principle of redevelopment on the area, they were concerned over the size of the development in the 1.8 acre site.

The parish council acknowledged that the Hart Local Plan and the Hartley Wintney Neighbourhood Plan both supported the development in principle, but that the "unanimous" view of the council was that "this particular proposal in a well-established conservation area was too large and out of proportion with the surrounding street scene".

Chris Farrance, chairman of the parish council, said: "This is an important site and it is imperative that any development is appropriate for the community.

"We hope that Hart District Council takes note."

Neighbours had raised concerns about loss of privacy for adjacent properties, a potential increase in traffic, pedestrian safety and parking.

The scheme divided opinions, with 94 objections and 55 in support.

To have your say on the scheme, search reference number 20/00330/FUL on the Hart District Council planning page. The public is able to comment on the application until Sunday, August 2.

The scheme will now be debated by HDC's planning committee.