A PROPOSAL to build 28 new houses on a site currently used for grazing pet alpacas has been rejected by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The plan was to demolish Newland Lodge, located to the south of Myhaven in Woods Lane, Cliddesden, and build 28 new houses.

However, the council rejected the application citing a number of reasons.

In its decision notice, the council said the proposed development would, by virtue of the scale, design and its location on the periphery of the village, will be out of keeping with the prevailing character of the area.

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The notice also said the development would not integrate with the surrounding character of the area due to the large-scale suburban and atypical extension.

The council further said: “The introduction of domestic built form and residential paraphernalia within the countryside, along with the associated infrastructure, would have a harmful and urbanising effect on the rural character and appearance of the area.

“The development is likely to lead to the loss of trees which make a positive contribution to the local landscape. The proposal has also failed to make adequate provision for new planting in the long term which would help enable the scheme to be sympathetic to and improve the landscape character of the development.

“The proposed development would, as a result of the loss and views afforded of the countryside, erode the rural character and setting of the Cliddesden Conservation Area, thereby resulting in harm to the significance of this heritage asset and to the ability to appreciate such significance.”

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The site is currently used for the grazing of pet alpacas.

The planning application proposed to relocate alpacas to the south of the site, on an area of land that will act as a buffer with the surrounding landscape.

The plan included six one-bedroom houses, 10 two-bedroom houses, eight three-bedroom houses, and four four-bedroom houses.

The application also attracted a number of objections from neighbours.

It received 49 objections on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s planning portals, while only one person supported the plans.

Public concern generally centred around the impact of the proposed housing on Woods Lane.