PLANS for 70 new homes in Swanmore have been approved by Winchester city councillors.

The new estate is the result of a land swap deal with Swanmore College, with Linden Homes building on 2.3 hectares of the college’s sports pitches. In return the college will receive nearby land currently being used as a paddock.

A previous proposal was rejected for reasons including the impact on the character of the village and potential parking problems.

But councillors on the planning committee were unanimous in their approval of the revised plan, which saw 17 letters of objection, and some 43 letters of approval from residents.

Work is due to begin in the coming months.