A PLAN to build 12 homes on farmland in between a town and a village has been recommended for refusal by council planning experts.

An application to build the affordable housing development on agricultural land to the east of Pamber Heath Road, between Tadley and Pamber Heath, was due to be decided on by Basingstoke and Deane councillors at a meeting last night.

Ahead of the meeting, council officers had recommended the development, which would consist of five two-bedroom houses, three three-bedroom and four one-bedroom flats all classed as affordable housing, be refused.

One reason put forward for the recommendation is the homes would have a ‘detrimental impact’ on the off-site emergency planning arrangements from the Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment site, while officers also cited not enough provision was made by the developer to contribute to community infrastructure in the area.

However, two councillors near the site, Kerri Carruthers, of Tadley South, and Roger Gardiner, of Pamber and Silchester, have both backed the proposal.

In a report prepared for the meeting, Cllr Carruthers states: “The application has my support. The question of need has been established and the site is both suitable and convenient for local facilities.

“Despite the ONR (Office of Nuclear Regulation) objection, I think the site is distant enough from AWE not to constitute a serious risk and access onto the Pamber Heath Road is preferable to the application at Greenacres on the A340 at Pamber Green which was approved.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Gardiner states in the report: “Having looked carefully at the plans, knowing the area well and having listened to the views of other people, I do feel that a development like this is needed in the area. “

The proposed entrance to the site would be via an access road constructed off of Pamber Heath Road with a green buffer proposed to ‘retain the character’ of the road.

The housing proposal has undergone extensive public consultation and liaising with Pamber Parish Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, prior to an application being submitted.

The Development Control Committee meeting, which is open to the public, takes place at the London Road council offices tonight from 6.30pm.