Council boss's fury at developers' plans to 'maximise profit' and 'cram' flats into historic building

The message came from Councillor Peter Chegwyn, leader of Gosport Borough Council.

It comes after the authority refused planning consent for Berkeley Homes to redevelop part of the Granary and Bakery building in Royal Clarence Yard.

Councillor Peter Chegwyn, leader of the council said: ‘There have been so many promises on that site that have never been delivered.

‘All Berkeley Homes have ever wanted to do is cram more and more residential units there and make as much money as they can.

‘It’s such a neglected area on the waterfront, shops have been left empty - Berkeley homes have never shown the slightest interest in letting them out to people.

‘Units have been snapped up, so you’d think Berkeley Homes might actually let it out for commercial use - but of course no they reckon they will make more money out of housing.

‘They’re not interested in anything that doesn’t maximise their profits.’

The first floor of the grade-II listed building currently lies vacant with the upper floors used for residential flats.

Royal Clarence Yard was approved as a mixed-use development after Berkeley Homes bought the northern part of the site in the 1990s.

Regulatory board members resisted plans to build six two-bedroom flats to support the mixed use of the development.

Planning documents, submitted by the applicants, said the principle of development for residential use has already been established on the other floors.

‘It is therefore considered that the conversion of the first floor of the building to residential apartments is appropriate and will help to safeguard the future of the building,' Cllr Chegwyn added.

A spokespman for Berkeley added: ‘Unfortunately despite the commercial premises at Royal Clarence Yard having been marketed since 2011, there are a number of premises still available today.

‘The objective in seeking a change of use from office to residential for the 1st floor of the Granary was to secure a sustainable and productive use for a long empty space and so secure the future of a local heritage asset.’