A PLAN to build three new houses in Highclere has been refused after the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council found that it is “an overdevelopment of the site”.

The development control committee of the council voted in favour of the refusal of the proposal as the councillors said: “the site is too small for three dwellings”.

The plan was to build three two-bedroom starter homes on land at Yew Tree Cottage in Mount Road, Highclere.

The council officers had recommended that the application be approved subject to the conditions.

Although Cllr Michael Howard-Sorrell said plans like these for starter homes are an excellent idea in areas such as Highclere, his motion to approve the proposal was not seconded by other councillors.

Cllr Graham Falconer made the argument that the site is too small for three dwellings and also cited that the access road is too narrow for all the houses.

Cllr Angie Freeman said: “Having had the benefit of going on the site visit, it does seem rather a small site for three houses, and the access does seem to be a bit dangerous.

“I'd be happier if there were only two houses on there. I really do think it's a bit of an overdevelopment of the site as it stands and the access onto that road and the fact that from what I understand, it's rather a busy road and I do think that three houses on that small plot are rather too many. I'd be happy to see two but your three is too many in my opinion.”

Cllr Nicholas Robinson also backed Cllr Freeman and said: “I looked at that site and went ‘three houses, really?’. I don't think there is a major problem with the road access. I think that is it's not ideal, but I think there are a lot worse.”

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