CIVIC chiefs have called the access point to a planned estate in Romsey a "deathtrap" and "absolute rubbish".

The proposals for a site with 29 new houses at Ashfield Sawmill on Southampton Road were met with heavy criticism by councillors at a Romsey Town Council Planning Committee on October 3.

The plans to transform the former tyre dump, drawn up by Winchester-based architecture studio Radley House, have been in the pipeline for years, but have still not been approved.

READ MORE: Plans for nearly 30 homes on tyre dump near Romsey could be approved

A map of the 29 proposed houses at Ashfield Sawmill (Image: Contributed)

Cllr John Critchley described the access road giving onto Southampton Road as a "deathtrap", saying drivers exiting the estate would only have three seconds to react to cars coming round the corner.

Cllr Ian Culley described the plans as “absolute rubbish” and said: "The residents are totally car-dependent. There don’t seem to be any pedestrian walkways or anything." 

In addition to access, councillors raised concerns over the aesthetic issues surrounding th site.

Cllr Sandra Gidley said: "Obviously, it’s a good thing that something is being made of the site but there’s no biodiversity statement and it’s very Georgian in flavour which isn’t what you’d expect in a natural setting.

She went on to describe the site as a “concrete jungle in the middle of the countryside”. 

SEE ALSO: Letter: 'Our lovely Romsey countryside is being ruined'

Cllr Russell Theron was more concerned about overbuilding than the appearance of the buildings.

He said: “I actually quite like the look of it,” adding, however, that the site was overconstructed. 

Cllr Critchley said: "I don’t mind the style, but I think it’s inappropriate in that location."

The town council agreed to object to the plans which will be decided by Test Valley Borough Council.