CIVIC chiefs have refused plans for 80 holiday lodges in a Hampshire village.

The application, by Geoffrey Billett, was to convert a caravan site in Sherfield English.

Test Valley Borough Council refused the plan saying it was out of character with the area. Planning officers had recommended it for permission.

The planning committee met on November 1 and heard chairman of Sherfield English Parish Council Graham Leigh say: “The parish council is keen to support rural business, but we object to this application. We believe the scale and density is overdevelopment. We also have concerns over changing to occupation to 12 months. There are also concerns over noise pollution and the apparent loss of green space.”

They also heard from two residents opposing the plan. Michael Arnison-Newgass, of Gambledown, Sherfield English, said: “These lodges would change the character of the village. The word character appears on 56 pages of your local plan. The elephant in the room is character. The character of our village, the proposed scale and density radically changes it.”

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Ursula Gooding, of Hillside, Sherfield English, said: “This is effectively 80 new dwellings in the countryside. This will turn a seasonal, greenfield site into an urban housing estate.”

The committee heard from the applicant's grandson who runs the business, based at Hill Farm Caravan Park, Branches Lane.

Mr Billett said: “Our business model is becoming unsustainable in the long term. This not only affects the family caravan business, but also the village shop and post office. With grandad stepping back towards retirement and me taking over as general manager the future of the business is becoming more my responsibility. We will be planting 36 new trees to supplement the existing 13. This will create a vastly improved screen. The timber-style holiday lodges will better reflect the rural location. I am the future of this park and this is vital for its future viability.”

Councillors debated the plans, with many split on the decision.

Cllr Alison Johnston said: “The planning officer has carried out a thorough assessment. It's a valuable tourism asset. I support the application."

Cllr Sandra Gidley said: “This is a very difficult application. They are good quality lodges and they are less of an eyesore than white caravans. I am sympathetic with the owners, but I would like to see evidence that the business model is unsustainable.”

Cllr Alan Dowden said: “I'm minded to support the application. However, I would like to see a legal agreement on the designs of the caravans.”

Four members of the committee voted against the officer's recommendations and three for. 

The reason given was that it would have had an adverse impact on the character of the area.