A NEW housing estate can be built in Odiham, despite a last-minute attempt to delay its approval.

The principle of building up to 89 homes at Hatchwood Farm, off Farnham Road, was approved at a full council meeting of Hart District Council last Thursday.

The plan by Bell Cornwell has been met with widespread opposition in the village, and the developer’s application received more than 100 objections.

The district council’s planning committee had already recommended approval to full council of the application, saying that it would help with a shortage of upcoming housing projects.

But Councillor Ken Crookes, ward member for Odiham, said more consideration should have been given to the effect of the development on neighbouring heritage sites, such as a nearby listed building and the Basingstoke Canal conservation area.

He said: “I am not convinced that we are not steamrolling over these important heritage issues to benefit our five-year land supply.”

But several councillors spoke out against Cllr Crookes, who is the leader of the council.

Cllr James Radley, ward member for Church Crookham East, said the heritage issues were discussed by the planning committee.

He added: “I do not see what the material change is that is being presented here.”

The district council voted for approval of the outline planning application but heard that much of the fine detail of the housing plan would be discussed by a sub-committee of the planning committee.

Cllr Helen Fleming, of Odiham Parish Council, attended the meeting along with a handful of Odiham residents opposed to the plan.

She said: “So many people have said this will have a negative effect on the character of the village and its approach. It’s really disappointing that Hart felt that the five-year land supply overrode that.”