ODIHAM will get a new housing estate with up to 89 homes after the plan was approved.

The controversial plan for Hatchwood Farm, off Farnham Road, was given the nod by the major sites planning sub-committee at Hart District Council.

The approval is subject to the completion of a legal agreement between the developer Stax Development Ltd and Hart which will secure money for infrastructure improvements and set a timetable for the site’s landscaping.

More than 100 villagers in Odiham submitted objections to the plan, which includes a 4-hectare public park.

But planning officers recommended the plan for approval, because it would help with a shortage of housing projects.

Members of the committee meeting heard a statement written by Councillor Mark Faulkner, from Odiham Parish Council, opposing the development.

After the meeting, he told The Gazette: “What has happened is that an outline proposal has been approved – there’s still a lot more work to go in to a detailed proposal before we actually know specifically what’s going to be built there.

“While the parish council accepts the site is going to be developed, we will continue to hold a very close watching brief to make sure what is eventually built does justice to that site.”