VILLAGERS are opposing a plan for fields in Otterbourne.

C. Barron, C. Hull and G. Lovegrove have applied for planning permission for a change of use of farmland into a pony paddock and the building of a stable block with hard standing and access track on land off Main Road.

The site, near the Old Forge pub, comprises three parcels of land totalling just over six hectares that has been fallow for some time. A public footpath runs across one of the fields.

The planning committee will consider the plan at its virtual meeting next Tuesday.

It is a resubmission of an application approved in 2016 but never implemented.

Planning officers are recommending approval but there have been more than 20 objections including the parish council. A report said the council believes the "new buildings will harm the landscape and the right of way is used by dog walkers, which may cause a problem when there are horses.

"The properties that use the access track will be affected by the regular riders visiting the stable as well as the transportation of waste products. It is unsuitable for the use of large horse boxes."

In total there were 24 objections,some raising concerns about the safety of horses on the main road and that approval leaves the site open to future applications for residential development as have previously been submitted.

There were no letters of support.