A RESUBMITTED application for a controversial housing scheme on a ‘green gap’ north of Winchester has been refused by planners.

The Welch family applied to build up to 45 homes and open space on their land between Littleton and Harestock.

The application on Harestock Road also included the conversion of a barn, which would become a scout hut and community centre.

Of the 45 buildings, 40 per cent were earmarked for affordable housing, with an additional eight self-built units.

In May last year, the previous application was unanimously rejected by Winchester City Council amid fears it would destroy the green gap between Littleton and Harestock.

The resubmission sought to address these issues, including excluding an area of development and the addition of 0.76 hectares of public open space.

However, planning committee members last Thursday again rebuffed the scheme. Reasons for refusal noted the application undermines the Local Plan Part 2 process.

Recommended by the planning officer for refusal, the document said: “The proposal would be so significant that to grant planning application would undermine the Local Plan Part 2 process by conflicting with the emerging plan and predetermining decision about the scale, location or phasing of new development.”

LPP2 was recently examined in July in a series of meetings chaired by Nigel Green. The plan is due to be published later this year.

The application received 43 letters of objection, with a contrasting six in support.

One objector was Littleton and Harestock Parish Council. In a letter, it said: “This character (of rural and arable land) should be retained where possible and the village itself and views of its buildings should not normally be permitted to intrude the countryside.

“Whilst we applaud the provision of a public open space to be included in this proposal together with a barn for community use.

“We are concerned that there will be insufficient funds available within this charity organisation for the proper care and maintenance of these facilities.

“Being an open space, there would be a likelihood of flytipping and rubbish disposal or unwanted travellers inhabiting the site.

“We are concerned that all of this would be detrimental to the area within the parish.”

However, supporters say the area is in need of affordable housing.

Lucy Dix, of Hillside Road, Winchester, said: “This is a great use of otherwise wasted land. It has no benefit to anyone else apart from the owners. We should embrace this application as it has many merits.”

Another supporter, Kenneth Day, of Domum Road, Winchester, added: “Whilst not a near resident to the planning application, I believe this to be a very modest and reasonable proposal given the other much larger granted and yet to be granted housing projects around Winchester.”

“If not granted it is likely the immediate area to north of Harestock Avenue become more unsightly than it is now. Furthermore, the traffic and other environmental problems which will arise from this small enclave, cited by the objectors, are overstated.”

It is not yet known if another appeal with be lodged.