DOZENS of new homes are set to be built in Sutton Scotney after a controversial planning application was approved.

The scheme by Metis Homes for 27 homes to be built at Old Station Yard, which is a former depot, was met with some opposition from local residents who say that the homes will "dominate the skyline".

However, the scheme was also praised at the Winchester City Council planning committee by Cllr Ian Tait.

Cllr Tait said: "The earliest scheme was virtually undeliverable, I think we are fortunate that Metis Homes has come up with an excellent scheme, I think it is something that has to be celebrated and supported and I willingly support the officers recommendations."

Local residents feared the homes would "dominate the skyline" and say that a three-storey block of flats is not appropriate for the area.

Concerns were also aired over the amount of affordable homes, which will only be two three bedroom homes.

As the planning inspectorate expects the authority to provide 40 per cent of affordable homes but this particular scheme falls well under that figure.

Cllr Therese Evans said: "I feel cross about the 40 per cent we have the planning inspectorate increasing the number of housing we have to accept but we have the developers saying they can only provide two affordable homes, there needs to be more pushing from the city council to make sure that the affordable housing quota is increased, I do think we need to be a bit more stringent in the way we bring these things to committee.

Eight councillors on the committee approved the plans with one abstention.