A PROPOSAL to build 26 houses on greenfield land in a rural Hampshire Village have been labelled as “unnecessary” and “not sustainable” by the Parish Council.

Borough Councillors on the Development Control Committee debated plans to build 26 houses including affordable housing with associated public open space and landscaping on a greenfield site off Andover Road in Highclere.

The application was unanimously refused by all councillors in attendance.

The plans were submitted by JPP Land Limited.

Cllr Brad Norton, Chair of the Highclere Parish Council, spoke against the proposal, he said: “It is not sustainable, and it does not provide economic or environmental benefits to the locality.

“An estate of 26 homes would represent the biggest single development in the village and it is more than excessive and would damage the rural character of Highclere and begin the process of urbanisation by proving at least 10 per cent to the current housing stock.”

He said the public space had also been considered by the council as “unnecessary” because there are already large areas of open space in Highclere.

He added: “There is no commercial need for this and as a council we have concerns.”

JPP Land was represented by Douglas Bond, who said the result would be a high “sensitive, high-quality residential development” that it would deliver “much needed market homes”.

The committee heard from two of the ward councillors for Evingar, Cllr Graham Falconer and Cllr John Izett, who both supported the Parish Council in opposing of the scheme.

Cllr Graham Falconer, supported the Parish Council, he said: “Five years ago the same applicants submitted a planning application for 50 dwellings and that was refused.

“Nothing has changed again so we are at a loss to know why the offices are now recommending approval.”

Cllr Izett added: “Highclere is a small rural settlement entirely in the North Wessex Downs AONB and allowing this huge development by Highclere standards would rip apart the AONB.

“I understand the pressure officers are under to find more homes in the absence of a five-year housing land supply, but this is the wrong site.”

Cllr Angie Freeman, Labour councillor for Winklebury and Manydown, added: “I am not convinced this is a suitable application and it is in an area of natural beauty.

“It would be pretty much car bound and there is very limited public transport.”

During the debate, Cllr Paul Harvey, said: “I would go solely and personally on the landscape issues.

" I feel the landscape impact gives a view that this material harms the natural beauty."

He said it would have a significant impact on Highclere and the surrounding area.