Plans to build 25 homes on land south of Harts Lane in Burghclere refused
Unpopular plans to build 25 homes in Burghclere have been refused, much to the rejoicing of village residents.
Housing developer HD (Burghclere) Ltd submitted plans to build the dwellings on land to the south side of Harts Lane between the Church of the Ascension and St Michael’s School on November 3 last year.
The residential proposal was met with backlash from many who live nearby, with some believing that that the development would negate the rural feel of Burghclere and that the new homes would create traffic problems on Harts Lane.
The plans were refused by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on March 5 for three key reasons.
The location of the proposed houses were not within the council’s settlement policy boundary but in the countryside, with planners stating: “The site is therefore not considered to represent sustainable development.”
Planners also concurred with the views of some residents who were opposed to the plans.
“The proposed development, by virtue of introducing inappropriate residential development into a countryside location, would not be sympathetic to, and would fail to respect and integrate with the character, visual amenity and scenic quality of the local landscape,” the refusal notice stated.
The plans were also refused because “the proposed development does not make adequate provision for community and infrastructure contributions in relation to affordable housing; on site open space and equipped play”.
Burghclere Parish Council chairman Richard Carrow stated that the parish council was “pleased with this outcome and is grateful to all those who objected”.
However, he also noted that HD (Burghclere) Ltd will have a period of six months during which it can appeal the decision to the Planning Inspectorate.
One happy resident wrote: “That’s fantastic news. Fingers crossed it’ll never happen.”
Another stated: “Good news. Just look what happened in Woolton Hill. Not so long ago it was a great little village and now it has got so big.”
