An appeal has been lodged for a rejected planning application to see 270 new homes built around a school in Romsey – and a councillor is warning it is likely to be approved.
Developer Gladman Developments have appealed Test Valley Borough Council's decision to refuse their plans, around Halterworth Primary School.
The developers lodged an application for 270 houses, plus green space and cycle routes last January, but it was refused because land in the countryside had not been allocated for devleopment.
The refusal notice, issued in April, stated: “This site is located in the defined countryside and is not included as a preferred site that might deliver part of the Borough's future housing requirement.”
The Liberal Democrat councillor explained: “TVBC were in the process of producing a Revised Local Plan to take planning matters through to 2040.
“However, the new government has announced new mandatory housing numbers for each district and Test Valley's have gone up from 524 per year to 921 per year.
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“With these new numbers and other government changes, TVBC will have to start the process of defining a Revised Local Plan again.
“Until TVBC can get a new Local Plan in place which allocates sufficient land then applications to develop in the countryside will, in all probability, be granted on appeal by the Planning Inspectorate.
“I have just been advised that Gladman Developments have taken advantage of this opportunity and lodged an appeal against TVBC's refusal of their planning application.
“This may be the first of many.”
On the application's design and access statement, Gladman Developments said: “The site is located with good access to the town centre, existing community amenities and the local public transport network.
"Local amenities within walking distance of the site include multiple bus stops, shops, Post Office and various local schools.
“The scheme should be visually attractive, respecting the context, form and typology of existing built form and neighbouring local vernacular.”
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