Appeal date for 26-home Highclere development
A DATE for a developer’s appeal against the refusal of its plans to build 26 homes in Highclere has been set for next week.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council turned down the homes in October last year on the grounds that it would have a significant impact on the surrounding North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Development company JPP Land, whose appeal will be heard at the council’s development control committee on Tuesday, had been hoping to build the homes on a site originally targeted five years ago, when the company had plans for 50 homes turned down.
The site is on greenfield land off Andover Road, bordering Westridge, with the southwest corner of the site dedicated to a wildflower field and open space.
When originally putting
forward the proposals in December 2020, Douglas Bond of JPP Land said the scheme was “more sensitive” compared to its original plans for 50 homes, describing it as a “sensitive and logical
infill” in the village.
He added: “The scheme is being designed so the impact on the AONB is minimised and we would say largely reduced such that there are significant reasons why the proposal could and should be supported.”
However, borough councillors unanimously dismissed the application.
Councillor Angie Freeman (Lab, Winklebury and Manydown) said it wasn’t a “suitable application” due to the lack of sustainable transport links, while Paul Harvey (Ind, Norden) said the integrity of the AONB would be “compromised” by the scale.
He added: “A 13 per cent increase on the settlement total is a significant impact on Highclere.”
The scheme was also criticised by Evingar ward councillors Graham Falconer (Con) and John Izett (Con) for its effect on the AONB.
JPP Land’s appeal against the refusal will be heard at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s development control committee at 10am on Tuesday, September 27.