Fomer car showroom in Odiham could be developed (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Odiham Parish Council seeking meeting with developer

11:10am Friday 24th August 2012 in Local By Chris Gregory

NEGOTIATIONS are going ahead about plans to develop a former car showroom in Odiham.

Odiham Parish Council has decided to break with its convention and speak to Linden Homes, the company seeking to develop the High Street site.

The site was used by BMW car dealer Wood until two months ago, when the company moved to its new premises in Griffin Way South in Hook.

Like other parish councils, Odiham has no planning powers, but it can object to Hart District Council , the local planning authority.

At a meeting last month, Councillor James Robinson-Giannasi, chairman of Odiham Parish Council, said the long-standing policy of the council was not to talk with developers before a planning application had been submitted.

But he added that an exception was made recently to talk to Bell Cornwell about their plan to build 89 homes at Hatchwood Farm.

He said: “It’s a very similar situation in that sense so we need to decide how we can approach them or meet with them while not exposing ourselves to compromise.”

Cllr Helen Fleming said discussions should be allowed to take place.

She said: “My view is that if it’s a particularly sensitive application then we should.”

The only person who disagreed with the proposal was Cllr Jeremy Fellows.

The parish council agreed to meet with Linden Homes, with at least two councillors present at any meeting and the parish clerk.