Red light for Sandy Lane homes plan (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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Red light for Sandy Lane homes plan
10:09am Friday 19th October 2012 in Romsey
COUNCILLORS have refused plans to build 33 houses next to the 800-home Abbotswood development on the outskirts of Romsey.
TVBC planning officers had recommended permission for the scheme with a list of 20 conditions, but councillors voiced concerns over the design and layout of the development, its “overbearing” nature on nearby properties, a lack of parking and resulting traffic problems.
The four-acre site runs behind properties on the southern edge of Sandy Lane, west of Abbotswood, and would require the demolition of a bungalow to provide access off Sandy Lane.
The Abbotswood Consortium, made up of Taylor Wimpey, Belway and Bovis Homes, had objected to the scheme.
John Parker, representing another objector, Romsey Extra Parish Council, told last week’s meeting of the Southern Area Planning that the scheme ran counter to TVBC policy as the site is designated as countryside.
While he agreed housing needs were not currently being met he said this was because building on sites with permission was being delayed.
He said allowing the scheme would “open the floodgates” to other developers.
Neil Gwynne, who owns a home near the proposed site, said he was concerned about increased traffic at the junction off Sandy Lane into the site which was “an accident waiting to happen”.
The application has been made by BDW Trading Ltd, who trade as David Wilson Homes.
Stuart Goodwill, Senior Planning Manager at David Wilson Homes, told Tuesday evening’s meeting of the Southern Area Planning Committee that during a public exhibition 40 people had turned up, 50 per cent had positive comments and only three people had objected.
He said great care had been taken to respect the other properties and the ecology of the site – a pond and a buffer strip to mitigate the ecological impact of the site is included in the proposal along with an area for informal recreation and a children’s play area.
Mark Cooper said councillors had spent hours trying to preserve open spaces around the Abbotswood development to limit the impact on existing buildings and called on members to reject the plan.
The application will now go before TVBC’s Planning Control committee.
