PLANS for a new retail park at the gateway to Alton's Mill Lane industrial estate came under scrutiny last week from members of the business community. Seen as key to the future regeneration of the Mill Lane business area, there was concern that this prominent site should enhance the environment, generate the minimum of highway problems and that it should complement, not damage, the town centre retail trade. The meeting was hosted by Alton 2020 business initiative facilitator Vernon Pearce to enable Milln Gate Rok Development Ltd to explain its proposal to build four units for DIY and bulky goods retailers on the former Hampshire Commercials site. While it was too late to comment on the planning application, Mr Pearce felt there was still time to influence any development that might take place. Speaking on behalf of Milln Gate Rok, Mark Carrington, regional director for planning consultants White Young Green, explained that his client was responding to a need for more retail capacity in the town, as identified in the East Hampshire Local Plan and the Alton 2020 town plan. He had been influenced by the neighbouring Focus development which had been successful at appeal in establishing retail provision on Mill Lane and had identified and dealt with any access problems. Mr Carrington said that research had shown Alton to have a large catchment area capable of generating retail expenditure which was currently going out of town. There was, he said, an opportunity to "claw back" some of that. "It is unsustainable for a small market town to have that level of leakage," said Mr Carrington. He drew attention to Alton's current reliance on specialist shops which would be the first to suffer in a recession. The retail park would enhance and support the local retail offering and encourage more people to shop in Alton. Work was already in place to improve the Mill Lane junction with Montecchio Way and this should absorb any projected increase in traffic volume from the park which would peak at weekends and not impact on weekday flows. Concerns were expressed by Tim Pugh of Oakhanger Angling Club over possible pollution of the adjacent river from the retail site. He was assured that surface water already drained through interceptors and that tanks would be used to regulate the flow. Chamber of commerce president Mike Baker questioned whether Alton could sustain a retail development of this size. He suggested the developers instigate a town centre footfall survey now and again in two years' time to prove that it had attracted more people into Alton.