A MAN'S dream of returning to the place where he grew up has been blocked by council red tape.

Stephen Veck had applied to Winchester City Council to build a new home on land that his family had lived on for four generations in a cottage off Winters Road, in Shirrell Heath, near Waltham Chase.

But concern about setting a precedent of building in countryside led them to turn down the plans.

Landowner Mr Veck, 57, of Waltham Chase, said he was "devastated" by the decision.

The site, which is at the back of three other homes, has the remains of an old brick building and a small shed on grass land, but until the 1970s had a home until it became derelict and eventually fell down.

A Winchester City Council planning officer advised that only homes that have been continuously occupied can be considered for a replacement building so this site had to be viewed as new development in the countryside.

She said the plans did not comply with local planning policy.

Jess Bond, chair of Shedfield Parish Council, appealed to the council to grant permission and said they believed it was a good idea.

Asked if she was not concerned that this might set a precedent for building elsewhere in the countryside, she said the council argued there was still a building there and said if no building was permitted in the village then it would become unsustainable leading it to be joined up to other areas.

Mr Veck told council planners how his father had not had the money to keep the house in good repair, adding: "I hope you grant my wish to spend the rest of my days there."

Committee member Cllr Therese Evans said it was a tough decision and she was sorry but planning had moved on and this would set a precedent so she would not support it to protect surrounding countryside.

It was refused unanimously.