A SITE used to store motorhomes and caravans has been refused planning permission for it to be continued to be used.

Members of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s development control committee decided to refuse the application for the site at Berry Court Solar Farm, in New Road, Little London.

This was despite members of the panel saying they had no issues with the site.

The plan was to construct a fence and retain hardstanding on the site as well as build 12 poles to mount CCTV / lights.

However, despite the refusal, Pamber and Silchester ward councillor Roger Gardiner was in favour of the plan being approved.

During the development control committee meeting on Wednesday, 8 August, Cllr Gardiner said: “The site is very different from its original agricultural use.

“This site in its entirety has developed into a commercial entity. I believe this is a useful use of the land and would fill a public need.”

This view was echoed by Brookvale and Kings Furlong ward councillor Michael Westbrook.

Cllr Westbrook said: “There is already a certain amount of industrialisation to the site already.

“I have not got an issue with the site if we can sort something with the bunds with it being a commercialised site already I think it is viable.

“When we visited the site, I got a feel for the site that it was acceptable.”

However in the officers report put before councillors, it recommended the plan be refused down to there being “no justification within development plan policies or any other material considerations that establishes the principle of development, or is considered to be of sufficient weight for allowing the change of use to caravan / motor home storage on this site.”

Councillors then voted to stick to the recommendation.