A DEVELOPMENT it is feared could cause major traffic problems in Gillingham went to a public inquiry this week.

Churchill Retirement Living has taken North Dorset District Council to appeal after being refused permission to build 21 retirement flats on the site of the Royal Hotel, Newbury, on the corner of Hardings Lane.

Churchill representative Andrew Burgess has said the development is sorely needed and rejects fears it could cause more problems than it solves.

He said: "There is a desperate need for private sheltered housing for the elderly in Gillingham and the district as a whole, as only one development has been completed since 2000.

"This development will help make up the shortfall, which is an important planning consideration."

The company has a second application for the site, this time for 35 apartments, which has also been refused by the district council on the grounds it does not supply enough affordable housing.

The planning committee did not raise any objections to the plan on the grounds of highway safety as provisions made for pedestrians have been worked out with the Highways Authority.

But the town council has raised a number of objections surrounding access to the site and the effect on on-street parking.

Town mayor Cllr Colin Dann has said the council sympath-ises with the need for retire-ment housing and respects the developer but fears the effect the siting of the development would have on the quality of life of those living in the area and those who would move in.

An inquiry into the first application was opened at the council offices at Blandford on Tuesday, although a final decision will not be made until the evidence presented has been considered by central government.

Churchill Retirement Living could also appeal the district council's decision on the second application.