Housing association makes U-turn on flat plan to give residents a say

Aster had lodged a plan with Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) to convert the common room in The Oval, Cricketers Way, into a one-bedroom flat.

The organisation argued that since the block of flats became no longer restricted to elderly people, it has resulted in the common room “falling into disuse”.

But in a post on TVBC’s planning website the council revealed that Aster had withdrawn its application on August 10.

It comes after the scheme sparked backlash from some of the residents who said that despite Aster stating that the room had been used “less and less” it was still used for activities including coffee mornings and family gatherings, as they have “little space” in their one-bedroom flats.

In a letter to TVBC, resident June Horsey said the plan was “unacceptable” because it would have resulted in a loss of an existing facility to the residents.

The plan also was blasted as it stated the garden area adjacent to the common room will be transferred from communal use to private for the new flat, which was said to be the “most useful, and most well used part of the communal garden”.

Following the criticism, the housing association told the Advertiser that it would speak to residents to determine if the way residents were using the room had changed.

Aster has now said that by withdrawing the application it will allow those living at The Oval to have a proper say on the plans.

An Aster spokesman said: “We want to make sure that we give all of our residents at The Oval the chance to have their say and we’ve withdrawn our application until we’ve had the chance to do this.”

The housing association said that by redesigning the lounge area it would be able to provide” another home for someone who needs it as well as reducing the overall costs for everyone living in the block”.

It is not yet known if or when Aster will return to TVBC with a further application to convert the common room.