A LANDOWNER has failed in its bid to to overturn a decision to bring more than 600 jobs to a Hampshire business park.

An appeal by Barker Mill Estates (BME) was heard at the High Court which contested Test Valley Borough Council’s local plan - the blueprint which sets out future development in the area.

Barker Mills was challenging 15-year local plan, which identifies out the council’s priorities for homebuilding and development, after the council refused them permission for a scheme to redevelop two plots at Adanac Park for general industry uses as well as storage and distribution.

The authority turned down the application on the grounds the site was allocated for development only as office, research and manufacturing use.

TVBC also claimed the redevelopment would not provide as many jobs as had been claimed by Barker Mills.

However, the landowners took the council to London’s top appeals court to challenge the plan, which sets out the council’s priorities for homebuilding, infrastructure and development.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, BME contested the local plan over the amount of development being proposed for housing and employment, claiming that the plan was “irrational” and failed to meet needs that had been outlined in the council’s own research.

But high court judge Mr Justice Holgate threw out the challenge, saying there was “nothing irrational” about it.

In his 22,500 word judgment he said BME had “failed to identify any misinterpretation of any planning policy” either by the council or a planning inspector who had also considered the plan.

He also rejected a challenge by the landowners to the planning decision that went against them earlier this year.

BME trustee Tim Jobling, above, said: “Although we are disappointed with the outcome, we were pleased to have had the opportunity to present our evidence at the hearings in October.

"Our intentions for Adanac Park were based on demonstrating a strong commitment to investment in responding to the demand of the fast developing business market, addressing the shortage of sites for logistics businesses and meeting the need for employment opportunities, something the government is seeking to encourage.”

“Benefits for the scheme if delivered would have included 630 jobs, which would have been created through the development of the logistics and distribution schemes, and over a £1,000,000 in business rates.”

he added that the value of the development to the local area would have also been well beyond £20m.

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive Stewart Dunn said the organisation had “always supported” BME in their endeavours to “boost economic growth for the area,” and that the strip along the M271 was “ideal” for expanding port services.

He said: “It’s really disappointing and we fail to understand why this has been thrown out given the M271 is ideal for logistical development of the port.”

But speaking on behalf of Nursling and Rownhams parish council chairman Phil Bundy, left, said councillors were “very pleased” the judge upheld decision made by the parish council, the southern area planning committee and inspectors - and that he was “surprised” BME made the decision to appeal.