A developer has appealed against the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s decision to throw out the plans to build 110 homes off Station Road.

Wates Developments Limited decided to appeal after its outline planning application attracted 318 letters of objection from residents.

To take a decision on the appeal, an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State will hold an inquiry opening at 10am on June 22.

The inquiry will be held as a virtual event run by the inspector in the normal way, but with interested parties invited to join via Microsoft Teams or telephone.

Wates, alongside Bewley Homes, are currently constructing a 48-house Canterbury Gardens on the adjacent land, meaning if the new plans are approved, the overall development could triple in size from initial proposals.

When the application came up before the council in October 2020, it was labelled as “an opportunistic land grab".

According to Cllr Diane Taylor, who represents Oakley & The Candovers, members of the committee had heard how the development would put "the public, and especially children and young people, seriously at risk".

She told the meeting there was a "clear precedent" against the development, adding that the heritage of the village would be compromised, labelling the development "ruinous".

Her views were supported by Cllr Tim Parry, the chair of Oakley and Deane Parish Council.

He told the meeting that the development was a "fundamental breach of the Oakley and Deane Neighbourhood Plan", which was overwhelmingly supported by residents at a referendum in 2016.

And despite Holly Gardener, project manager of the development, outlining its benefits, including a commitment to sustainability, 4.5 hectares of "extensive green space", "much-needed new homes" and access for residents to an electric car hire scheme, councillors were unimpressed by the access and safety concerns.

However, the Basingstoke councillors are unlikely to get the same support from Hampshire County Council when it goes to appeal as the higher council has not raised an objection to the proposal.

Anyone wishing to attend the inquiry on June 22 must write to the Planning Inspectorate Case Officer as soon as possible. either by email or telephone.

All written submissions from application and appeal stage will be taken into account by the Inspector

You can choose to take an active part in the proceedings or participate as an observer.

Public can view documents relating to the appeal on the Council website (21/00015/REF).

To read more details about the public notice regarding the appeal, visit our public notice page.

More public notices are available here.