THE Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is calling for controversial plans in Tadley to be called in by the Secretary of State.

On February 10 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Development Control Committee approved plans to build 150 homes at Tadley’s Boundary Hall site, which formerly belonged to the Ministry of Defence.

The application, which falls within a three-kilometre Detailed Emergency Planning Zone (DEPZ) surrounding the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), is subject to a holding direction by John Denham, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Since borough councillors cast their vote, the HSE has written a formal request for the application to be called in by Government due to public safety concerns.

The borough’s planning department is waiting for a response from the Secretary of State.

Cllr David Leeks, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Councillor for the Tadley South ward, said: “I wonder what the outcome will be and how long it will take.

“It was the Government who originally sold the land, so then they thought it was safe to be occupied by their employees.

“It’s definitely and eyesore and I would like to see something done with it. I’m not for lots of housing, but we do need some in Tadley for our families.”