CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 95 new houses in Sherfield-on-Loddon have been refused by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The proposed development, which was put forward to the council by Gladman Developments, was met with concerns from residents living in both Sherfield-on-Loddon and Bramley.

The outline application looked to seek permission to build the houses on land at Goddards Farm, in Goddards Lane.

But the borough council has refused the application on the grounds that it does not fit with the newly agreed local plan.

On the council’s decision notice it said: “The proposal is not considered to represent a sustainable development and is contrary to policy SD1 of the Basingstoke and Deane local plan 2011-2029.

“The proposed development would introduce inappropriate residential development within the countryside, which would fail to respect and integrate with the character, visual amenity and scenic quality of the local landscape.

“The harm caused would be by virtue of urbanising and eroding its rural context which is integral to its significance and appreciation.”

The refusal has been praised by ward councillor for Bramley and Sherfield, Cllr Venetia Rowland.

She said: “I am very happy with the council’s decision and the local plan coming nto effect helping to keep the strategic gap.

“There were 98 resident objections to the plan, so this decision is a combination of council policy and community power coming together.

“We do have to be wary of any appeal, but I think the coming together of the community really showed how this development was not needed.”

Fellow ward councillor Cllr Nicholas Robinson echoed these views, adding: “I am delighted and it is a great result for the villages.

“The implementation of the local plan has been instrumental in getting this refusal.”

Gladman Developments has six months to decide if it wants to appeal against the decision made by the borough council.