CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 95 new houses in Sherfield-on-Loddon have been withdrawn, despite going through the appeal process for a number of months.

The plans submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council by Gladman Developments were met with frustration by villagers and councillors, who said the development would be “inappropriate” for the area.

After the original application was rejected by the borough council back in July 2016, Gladman Developments quickly placed an appeal against the decision.

However, now the building firm has chosen to withdraw its appeal, something which Bramley and Sherfield ward councillor, Cllr Nick Robinson said was “absolutely brilliant”.

He said: “I think that Galdman’s saw the writing on the wall and that is why they have now withdrawn the appeal. Because Basingstoke has this five-year housing land supply, which is a bit of a holy grail as it can act as a bit of a deterrent to potential developers.”

The initial plans aimed to build the 95 news houses on land at Goddards Farm, in Goddards Lane.

But thanks to the adopted local plan and the wheels are in motion to put forward a Sherfield Neighbourhood plan, this would act as a buff to any future submitted plans.

However, Cllr Robinson is fully aware that developers do not have a tendency to let things lie, but said he will continue to fight any development which does not fit with the village.

“We have already seen a number of plans objected thanks to the Bramley Neighbourhood Plan,” he said.

“The worry is that Gladman’s could come back with the exact same application, they could go in with fewer houses, they could apply for more, but as long as we have that five-year land supply we have a chance of overturning these applications.”