MORE than 160 homes are to be built after planners gave proposals the green light.

Developer Foreman Homes will build 99 houses at the Sandyfields Nurseries land on Main Road, including an additional 66 affordable homes.

However, a rival developer has now questioned the decision and threatened legal action.

Richard Cutler, partner at Bloombridge was shocked Winchester City Council approved the plans and said he was considering his position.

“It seems that the council is happy to let children walk up Main Road to school and in order to play at Colden Common Park,” said Mr Cutler.

“Overall, this is a very odd decision.”

He said: “The committee’s decision means that the new residents in Colden Common will be living on the wrong side of Main Road, an unsustainable 1200m from the school and Co-op.

“Legal action has been threatened by fellow developers Welbeck and Bargate Homes, who also have schemes in Colden Common. I am considering my options.”

In response, a spokesman for the city council said: “The planning committee considered a comprehensive report before reaching its decision on this development in Colden Common.

"The report included objections from other developers.”

However, Cllr Richard Izard, who represents the Colden Common ward, said he was confident that it was the right site to build on – despite 27 objection letters.

He said: “During the consultation period, more than 500 villagers came forward with their ideas.

“What they told us loud and clear was that Sandyfields was by far and away the best location to use.

“As this site can accommodated the houses required it would be a shame if these plans were refused.”

Cllr Izard added that 50 per cent of the homes could be sold to first time buyers.

“It is the most important development in Colden Common for the last 20 years,” admitted the Winchester city councillor.

“50per cent of the site could be offered to first time buyers already living in the area.

“A lot of issues have been raised regarding extra traffic on the road, but whatever site we would build on would increase traffic.”

Steve Carrington, of Foreman Homes, said the firm are still listening to the public as to what they want from the development.

“This proposal has been a long time coming,” added Mr Carrington.

“We try and say yes to every request we receive. We have not sought to cut any corners.

“We are the right people to deliver this long awaited scheme for family homes.”