A community has pledged to fight on against a bid to develop a former Popley boozer despite the plans being amended.
A fresh application by Clareton Ltd to convert the Three Barrels pub site in the Winklebury Centre into two shops was submitted on December 20.
The new proposals address issues that arose from an application submitted in August last year, which was later withdrawn following concerns about wheelchair access and car parking.
But residents say the revised scheme would still harm their community.
Existing shops and flats in Winklebury Centre are located around a central square facing each other and away from Winklebury Way and the car park.
But the plans show the shops backing onto the square and their front entrances facing west towards the road.
Campaigner Lea Jeff said residents are concerned about the location of the shop entrances.
Ms Jeff said: “The plans are not in keeping with the square – the whole thing is ridiculous.
“It’s the whole insensitivity of it and our petition shows that the community does not want it.
“We put some survey leaflets through doors and the results showed that people want something other than shops, such as a doctor’s surgery.”
Backed by Popley councillor Jane Frankum, their objections will be submitted to Basingstoke planning chiefs, highlighting concerns about street lighting and disabled access.
Barry Dodds, owner of Greenways Newsagents in the Winklebury Centre, told the Basingstoke Observer: “Since the whole thing started, we have had petition after petition and a whole load of people objecting.
“I am not against them becoming shops – but having them facing away from the square will damage our community.”
Since going to consultation, planning officers have received 24 responses against the development and two petitions.
Ms Jeff said her petition drummed up 548 signatures.
A report submitted to planning officers by Saunders Architects acknowledges concerns about the location of the entrances.
“Objections were raised regarding the creation of the shop front to the west elevation whereas the pub had access from all four sides,” said the report.
“This is to be retained by the proposal and is felt to be the most appropriate frontage for small shops of this nature.”
The borough council’s development control committee will make a decision on the new application later this month.
