CONSTRUCTION of a green burial site has been given the go-ahead despite concerns about access being raised.

As previously reported by The Gazette, land between the A339 and the hamlet of Ibworth was the subject of a planning application for it to be used as a burial site by allowing a car park area and access road to be created.

The application, submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, outlined along each burial plot a tree would be planted, alongside extensive landscaping work, while there would also be 24 parking spaces and an access road from Hook Lane.

At a council development control committee meeting on Wednesday last week, members narrowly granted permission with a casting vote from the chair of the panel.

Residents living in a number of neighbouring wards had objected to the application stating that the already busy A339 would be impacted further by the proposal.

During the meeting, a representative for residents said: “All three parish councils who are connected by or use this junction have objected on the grounds of highway safety concerns and have said that it is unlikely that these issues would be easily overcome.”

They also said that no independent safety audit had been taken on the single lane carriageway of Hook Lane to assess the viability.

However, Nikki Brock, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said that traffic movements would be kept to a minimum and would only be used outside of peak times.

Ms Brock said: “This is an ideal location just a few miles outside of Basingstoke, it will result in new woodland being planted by the applicant in a time when a lot of trees are being felled.”

Kingsclere ward councillor Ken Rhatigan said: “The principle of green burial is important, and it gives people’s loved ones to pass the way they wish.

“This is not the right site in my view, with all the inherent problems with traffic. I understand Mr May [the applicant] said it will be used infrequently, but the reality is this is not the right place for slow moving traffic and it is already adding strain on an already dangerous road.”

Councillors were split over the decision. However, chair of the committee, Cllr Paul Miller, gave the casting, passing vote. Despite saying he could not support the application, he endorsed the view of planning experts at the council who had recommended to approve the application.

Cllr Miller said: “I agree with everything that has been said but access is still an issue.

“This [the access] does not meet any of the criteria that I have seen in my personal experience.”