SUPERMARKET chain Lidl has "provided no evidence" that other sites have been looked into, an appeal hearing into plans to build warehouses in Dummer has heard.

As previously reported, Newlands Development submitted a revised planning application to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) for a new distribution hub on land at Oakdown Farm in Dummer, which includes plans to build a Lidl warehouse.

In October last year, members of the borough council’s development control committee refused Newland’s previous application – understood to be earmarked for Amazon.

In May this year members of the same committee refused Newland’s revised application. This led to the developer filing an appeal against BDBC’s decision.

SEE ALSO: Oakdown Farm appeal hearing begins as council says Lidl warehouse would 'radically' change the character of the land

The planning appeal hearing, led by planning inspectorate Stephen Wilkinson, kicked off on Tuesday, October 18.

On the first day of the hearing, which is expected to last for several days, representatives for each party gave their opening statements.

BDBC also began giving their evidence to the inspector, which they finished delivering on the morning of Wednesday, October 19.

Giving evidence on behalf of the council Matthew Miller, associate planner at ET Planning, spoke about Lidl after it was revealed that the supermarket chain is struggling to accommodate such sites.

He said: "There is no evidence from Lidl in this appeal to show they have done research into other sites. While I know they are struggling to find a site to meet their needs they don’t have anything before us to suggest they are looking at other sites."

He continued: "The economic need for development does not override the landscape sensitivity and benefits."

The hearing was told that a requirement for such a centre on the M3 corridor was identified in 2014 and since then agents have been trying to find a plot.

Rupert Warren, counsel for the appellant Newland’s Development, added: If they have found somewhere else they would have gone there.

On Tuesday, October 18, chartered landscape architect Anne Priscott also gave evidence. She said if plans go ahead the "untouched rural" area would be "urbanized".

She said: "I think that the approach and its settings and the views you get which are currently rural views would have a change and you would see an industrial building and I think that would alter the appreciation of the approach to the town (Basingstoke)."

READ MORE:' Deadly game of hide and seek': Medical expert criticises lack of signage for life-saving defibrillators

Mr Warren struggled to see how the development would have any effect on Basingstoke.

Cross-examining Ms Priscott, he added: "Basingstoke has junction seven and six next to it and they are two of the main things in the way the town works. I am just trying to understand whether this affects Basingstoke."

He also questioned whether it would affect residents' understanding of Dummer. Ms Priscott answered no.