A DEVELOPER who planned to build 95 homes in Sherfield-on-Loddon has had their appeal overturned.

As previously reported in the Gazette Gladman Developments Ltd had previously had an application to build 95 homes on land off Goddards Lane rejected by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Despite the application being rejected, the developer appealed the decision in an attempt to force the plans through.

Now, the planning inspector has found that the application does not meet the requirements of the appeal on the grounds of the site’s historical importance.

Former Bramley and Sherfield ward councillor Venetia Rowland, who has been campaigning against the plans said she was “ecstatic” about the news.

Mrs Rowland said: “The appeal was rejected on the basis of heritage significance and the landscaping of the site.

“The planning inspector taking this decision is a great message for the rural community who are worried that green spaces will just become overrun with houses.”

She added: “I hope that developers will take this on board, and it will give villages more reassurance.”

As previously reported in the Gazette Mrs Rowland, who stepped down as a borough councillor, left her position after frustrations surrounding the appeal.

Now, she said the result is a clear underlining of her terms as a councillor.

She added: “I have been campaigning against this development for years and was one of the catalysts of wanting to run as a borough councillor.

“After the application was rejected three times and the developer still tried to push it through, I became frustrated.

“However, now that the appeal has been overturned it is a good ending to my time as a councillor.”