SEVENTY homes will be built in a Basingstoke village after a Government planning inspector overruled Basing-stoke and Deane Borough Council’s decision to refuse the application.

Wates Development Limited launched a controversial bid in December 2013 to build 70 new homes on land at Worting Farm, in Worting.

The site has been an area of contention between local residents and the developers since 2010, when the borough council rejected a planning application for permission to build 134 new homes because of concerns over the impact on the character of the Worting Conservation Area.

In May 2014, the borough council’s development control committee voted to reject the latest housing bid because of concerns about over-development in the village, with the developer later launching an appeal against the decision.

But Government planning inspector Brendan Lyons has now allowed the appeal, paving the way for Wates to build 70 homes, including 28 affordable properties, on the land.

Mr Lyons pointed to the borough council’s lack of a five-year land supply and the need for affordable housing across Basingstoke and Deane.

In his decision report, Mr Lyons said: “There is evidence that the borough is also experiencing a severe shortage of affordable housing.

“The proposal would result in some environmental harm. I attach considerable importance and weight to the failure to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area and preserve the setting of the listed buildings, and to the less than substantial harm that would result.”

But Mr Lyons defended the plans, adding: “In the light of the acknowledged significant and serious shortfall in the borough’s housing land supply, the addition of 70 deliverable new dwellings must be seen as a very significant benefit.”

But Gary Sumner, chairman of the Worting Area Residents’ Association, told The Gazette that the village was “disappointed” with the decision, adding: “It is going to treble the size of the village.

“We are upset that the reason the planning inspector has given is that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council doesn’t have a suitable plan in place to show they are going to build x number of homes over five years.

“He acknowledges it will cause harm to the village but says it is not severe harm. The number of homes will help towards the council’s figure but they were supporting us in saying no.”

A Wates Developments spokesperson said: "We are delighted by the planning inspector's decision to uphold our appeal.

"In particular, it is gratifying to see the high quality design of the scheme clearly recognised.

"We look forward to now working with the council and local community as the scheme develops, bringing 70 much needed homes to the Worting site."

More on this story

Developer to mount appeal after plan to build 70 homes in Worting is rejected 

Plan to build 70 homes in Worting rejected by Basingstoke and Deane