DUMMER would not be hugely affected if plans to build a major distribution hub were approved, the company behind the scheme has said. 

As previously reported, an appeal hearing is currently underway after Newlands Developments 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 Newlands' previous application – understood to be earmarked for Amazon.

SEE ALSO: Lidl have 'provided no evidence that other sites have been looked at, appeal hears

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

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

BDBC and Dummer Parish Council have already given evidence to the inspector.

In the afternoon of Wednesday, October 19 Rupert Warren, counsel for the appellant Newlands Developments gave evidence calling on Garry Holliday director at FPCR to present his views.

Mr Holliday said: "Things have changed between applications to try and provide mitigation. I think it is a good site in terms of land formation and it has two major roads which provide the boundaries for it.

"It is agricultural land but there is nothing unusual or particularly special about it. It is an area which has already been affected by infrastructure.

"This application works around keeping the Oak trees and this is something that the landscape officer and council were keen on."

He went on to say that Dummer would not be hugely affected.

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He added: "I don’t think the site is in the immediate setting of Dummer, there would be a change and it would become more developed but I don’t think it will make a material difference to how you view Dummer because it will still be a village. Things will be going on in the wider area but how you understand Dummer will be the same."

However, in cross-examination on Thursday, October 20, George Mackenzie, counsel for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, disagreed. 

He said the development would "wipe out the landscape area of the site" with the land currently being "unsettled with no development" such as the warehouses.

Mr Holliday said he believes the developer has "successfully" delivered mitigating factors within the new application, meaning it now outweighs the harm.

On Friday, October 21 the inspector is expected to undertake a site visit and each party will give their closing statements.