Demolition of courthouse gets approval
Councillors back outline plans to replace ‘hideous’ building with flats
OUTLINE plans to demolish a ‘hideous’ empty courthouse in Fareham town centre and replace it with 45 flats have been meet with unanimous approval from the council’s planning committee.
Fareham Magistrates’ Court in Trinity Street was closed in September 2016 after a review found it operating severely under-capacity.
Now, Fareham Borough Council has granted outline planning permission for owner Homes England to turn it into 45 apartments.
A spokesman from Homes England said the redevelopment will result in removing ‘a large, imposing, utilitarian building’ that adds nothing to the residential setting – and councillors were in complete agreement.
The empty building was labelled as ‘the most hideous building in Fareham’, a ‘carbuncle’ on the face of the town, and ‘an eyesore’ for residents by councillors.
Councillor Roger Price, who served as a magistrate in the building, said: ‘For those of us who were working in it, it was absolutely hopeless. It just did not work at all.
‘I do wish the people who are going to demolish it every success, as it was the first magistrates’ court in the country to be built to be bombproof.’
Planning committee chairman Cllr Nick Walker added: ‘Needless to say I will be very glad to see it go.’
Councillor Katrina Trott expressed some concerns about the parking options in the redevelopment plans.
One parking option proposed in the outline plans would see the site feature ground-level spaces in an undercroft of the building.
She added: ‘(I would like) fewer flats and the same amount of parking.’
Homes England has yet to confirm a date for when demolition work will begin.