Plans for 9 affordable homes on greenfield site refused

The application was submitted by Edge Architecture Ltd on behalf of client Steve Kirby and the proposed homes would have been built on land adjacent to Winchester Road, Burghclere, which is currently being used as a horse grazing paddock.

A new cycle path, footpath and road junction would be created alongside the development if it were to go ahead.

More than 20 objections were raised by neighbours, who were concerned about the new dwellings being built on a greenfield site and devaluing the area.

READ MORE: Manor house could be demolished and replaced with more than 100 homes

The plans for nine homes (Image: Edge Architecture)

One neighbour, Sue Anstie, argued that the building of the new dwellings would "devalue" the area.

She said "I object because it would devalue the properties down Woodbine Lane. Our view from out 20th Century cottage, over a lovely green field full of wildlife will be spoilt. We value our privacy and quiet neighbourhood."

Another objection came from neighbour Michael Osborne, who raised concerns over security.

He said: "Currently our gardens back onto a field with no public access.

"What is being suggested is creating an area outside the back of our and our neighbours properties which has public access.

"This is a risk to our security."

Another neighbour, Philip Newman, raised concerns about road safety.

He said: "I object to the proposed development due to the creation of a hazardous junction with the B4640 (Winchester Road), which is already a dangerous 50 mph route.

"In the past five years, two serious accidents have occurred within 50 meters of this proposed development, with vehicles waiting to turn from the B4640 into side roads."

Jeni Jackson, head of planning and infrastructure at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, concluded in her report that the application should be refused.

She said: "The application would result in the formation of dwellings in an unsustainable location within the countryside for which no special circumstances apply and therefore would not represent a sustainable form of development.

"The development would not promote opportunities for sustainable transport, improve accessibility to services and support the transition to a low carbon future.

"The proposed development would have a harmful and urbanising effect on the character and landscape character of the area through the introduction of inappropriate residential development into a greenfield countryside location.

"The proposal would also not respect the established spatial character of properties in the vicinity.

"The development would therefore cause irreversible harm to the intrinsic character and appearance of the surrounding area and would not be in proportion with and respect the character and form of the immediate vicinity and surrounding area."