VILLAGERS have hit out at plans to build a care home complex on the edge of Hartley Wintney.

As previously reported by The Gazette, Highwood Lane Limited has applied to Hart District Council for outline planning permission to build a 60-bed care home and 150 flats and houses, all for older people, on land off the A30 London Road, between the village and Hartfordbridge.

The company formally submitted planning permission in December last year following pre-application advice from the district council last May.

Other features of the application include a green space in the southern section of the site, a swimming pool, spa and a new access to the site off Hare’s Lane.

But a group of villagers who live opposite the site gathered at Hunts Common last Saturday to raise their concerns over the development and urged Hart District Council to reject the application.

They raised concerns over the loss of the greenfield site and the view, and the reduction of the buffer between Hartley Wintney and Hartford-bridge.

They also have concerns that the village’s character and appearance will be affected as the site is in the Hartley Wintney conservation area.

Kate Wharton, who is 46 and lives at Hunts Cottages, told The Gazette: “We are opposed to the principle of this development. It is within a conservation area. Once you start developing within a conservation area, there is nothing to stop them developing elsewhere.

“The neighbourhood plan is being created at the moment which may offer some alternatives. We are hoping the planning process will protect the conservation area and the ongoing neighbourhood plan will have a more considered view of development opportunities in Hartley Wintney.”

Grandmother-of-one Patsy Broderick, of Hunts Cottages, added: “We are just trying to conserve the beautiful view on the way up from Hunts Common and it is conservation land we want saved for future generations of the village.”

Simon Beech, director at the Highwood group, said: “This application addresses a huge shortfall in care provision for the over-55 community both in Hartley Wintney and Hart.

“Highwood Group has worked with the community for more than a year to ensure the final plans fully reflect the needs and aspirations of local people, including the proposed realignment of Hares Lane, to create a new private road for the existing residents.”