RESIDENTS of Picket Piece have been left devastated after the borough council gave the green light to plans for 16 new homes in space promised as a junior sports pitch.

Wates Developments and David Wilson Homes Southern are set to build 16 new homes on land north of Ox Drove in Picket Piece.

People living in the area feel ‘let down’ by Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) which failed to secure the land as part of a Section 106 agreement, and have now granted developers permission for more homes on the site.

Area councillor Nick Lodge said: “We cannot forget the history of this. A serious administration error by the council which resulted in the S106 agreement not being sorted and Wates took advantage of that and escaped their obligations.”

The land was earmarked for a leisure space at the time of the development of Picket Piece’s Locksbridge Park, however developers say that it was never called upon to be used as such, with environmental mitigation used elsewhere instead.

An independent inspector was brought in, and decided that the firm had fulfilled its obligations.

READ MORE: Picket Piece residents object to plans for 16 new homes

In addition, Cllr Lodge was given two hours notice prior to the planning meeting last night (Thursday, January 27) that he would be unable to participate or vote due to the fact that he had lodged an objection to the plans as a resident more than two years ago.

Speaking on behalf of the large number of residents gathered at the meeting, Chris Parker pointed out that it's “simply not safe” for residents of Picket Piece to be expected to walk along Ox Drove with their children to access the leisure facilities at nearby Picket Twenty.

He added that this is the latest in a list of disappointments for residents who are still awaiting the opening of a shop, and who did not get the school they thought they would.

“Families feel very let down by the council’s failure to make this green space available to the community as promised,” he said.

John Tarvit, of Wates Development, defended the plans, stating that six of the properties will be affordable housing and all will be “in-keeping with surrounding development”.

Mr Tarvit that the required nitrogen mitigation strategy is in place in the form of planting 3,500 native trees near Overton.

Councillor questions surrounded the level and density of the development, the amount of informal green space allocated, space for parking and bin stores, and access for work vehicles.

However, members failed to find adequate legal grounds on which to base a refusal, and voted to allow the development to go ahead - many very reluctantly.

Cllr Tony Burley said: “I am uncomfortable that we are in this position because of failures. We as a borough did not do the job properly when it came to the Section 106 agreement.

“I have got sympathy with the residents who have bought into an idea. I am not happy to be supporting this, but I am struggling to find reasons to refuse it.”

Cllr Victoria Harber added: “In my absolute heart I want to refuse this. But there is nothing I can see that we can actually refuse it for, and that makes me really sad for the residents.”

SEE ALSO: Planning inspectorate to decide future of Picket Piece green space

While Cllr Zilliah Brooks said: “I am a bit sad about losing a green space. It is important for everyone to have sports fields for their youngsters to play on. I am trying to find a policy to turn it down, and I don’t think we can find one.”

As half of the members present, four councillors, voted for the application to be approved, the final decision was that of chairman Cllr Carl Borg-Neal who agreed it.

As members of the public left the meeting, several visibly emotional, comments of “You come and live there!”, “Disgusting!” and “None of you understand!” could be heard.

Responding to the decision, the Picket Piece Residents’ Association told the Advertiser: “When we bought our homes, we were promised a new vibrant community, with green space and sports facilities at its heart. On the basis of a technicality Wates have broken their promise to provide a junior sports pitch.

SEE ALSO: Picket Piece residents to pursue legal action over TVBC housing development decision

“There remain many unanswered questions for Picket Piece’s residents after tonight’s decision. Planning permission has only been granted because of a mistake by Test Valley Borough Council in the drafting of its agreement with Wates in 2011. A mistake of this magnitude should worry all Test Valley residents and anyone buying a new build property.

“We will consider our options for further action in the coming days.”

Message from the editor

Thank you for reading this story. We really appreciate your support.

Please help us to continue bringing you all the trusted news from Andover by sharing this story or by following our Facebook page.

Kimberley Barber

Editor