Developers have been given the go-ahead to build more houses at a site near Medstead having already got permission for 45.

East Hampshire District Council’s planning committee debated for more than an hour but finally approved the extra nine homes for land to the rear of Brackenbury Gardens and Boyneswood Close despite concerns over junction congestion, triple/tandem parking and the impact on the character of the area. 

Developer Mark Turner, of William Lacey Group, was refused permission to build 58 houses in 2019 but was granted permission to build 45 in 2023 and has now “slotted” in another nine to build 54 instead.

Cllr Charles Louisson (Con, Ropley, Hawkley and Hangers) reflected the concern of written objections over congestion at the junction on A31 with Boyneswood Road and car parking.  He said carports will be turned into storage, losing car parking spaces.

He said: “In reality, triple parking spaces won’t be used because of the inconvenience of using them. It’ll be turned into storage or whatever. You will end up with parking on the street.” 

The council officer said that a restriction not allowing the development of carports was already part of the planning permission. 

Turning attention to Boyneswood Road and the A31 junction, Cllr Louisson raised concerns over the cumulative effect of continuing to “deliver more houses on the far side of that railway bridge”.

While the council wants people to use sustainable transport, he said: “The reality is that people living on these estates will not cycle to school or cycle to shops or even walk there.

“We cannot continue to put more and more housing on the far side of that road without a solution.”

The council officer said the committee had to listen to consultees, such as Hampshire’s highways department which said there is “capacity” at that junction.

Cllr Emily Young (Lib Dem, Alton Westbrooke) said: “My daughter is about to start school and there is no way I would let her cycle or walk to primary school in Four Marks across the A31. That’s just crazy.”

The planning officer said he would take Cllr Young’s point of asking the highways authority to attend planning meetings regarding Four Marks so it can explain its plans for the future.

Medstead Parish Council’s written objections during the planning consultations include many issues which ranged from criticising the scheme for not being economically the right site for commuters, to the cul-de-sac design not being environmentally suitable.   

Locals also highlighted a lack of social space on site, a potential flood risk, air pollution from the extra vehicles, drainage concerns and damage to habitats. They also criticised the developer for trying to build more homes on the site.

The 54 homes, 22 of which will be affordable, are to be built on 7.91 acres of meadow and woodland area with houses occupying nearly six acres. The site is north of the built-up area of Four Marks and to the south of the main village of Medstead.

The plans propose one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom bungalows, two- and 2.5-storey houses built from a mixture of brick, tile hanging and weatherboarding under grey or red concrete tiles which would be in keeping with the neighbouring development.

Access will be from Holland Drive that also serves the new houses at the Bellway development to the south, the planning officers said.

Planning permission was granted by councillors with nine in favour and two abstentions.