A DEVELOPER has said councillors should be "personally liable" for costs after plans for retirement accommodation were thrown out.

It comes as they vowed to fight the planning committee decision rejecting a recommendation to allow 27 apartments to be built in Bishop's Waltham.

Andrew Burgess, group land and planning director for Churchill Retirement Living, said: “We’re very disappointed with councillors’ response to our application.

"Their decision ignores the planning officer’s recommendation to approve our plans, and goes against the officer’s advice that there are no grounds for refusal at appeal.

“We will now be forced to pursue a costly and entirely avoidable appeal, which will end up costing taxpayers’ money. Councillors should be made personally liable for these costs in my opinion."

The proposals would have seen the flats for elderly residents build on land at the corner of Shore Lane and Coppice Hill.

Exclusively for residents aged 55 and over, the scheme would have included 15 one-bed, and 12 two-bed flats, plus 13 parking spaces.

However, the plans saw more than 30 objections lodged, including Bishop's Waltham Parish Council.

Winchester City Council's planning committee heard concerns over the level of parking and character of the development.

Addressing the number of parking spaces, Cllr Eileen Berry said: "People will work beyond 60. You are presuming there's no family involved, there are no carers involved. I believe you have got it wrong."

Cllr Angela Clear added: "Like other, I'm concerned about the parking, but also the building doesn't reflect the character of Bishop's Waltham.

As well not reflecting the character of the area and the parking, councillors voted to reject the proposal (five votes to two) over a lack of affordable housing.

Defending the scheme, Mr Burgess said: “We believe our proposal is an acceptable high-quality design, and will help provide much needed housing for older people in Bishops Waltham, enabling them to downsize and in turn free up more family housing for younger people in the area.

"It will also create jobs, provide benefits to the local economy, and make a valuable contribution to the area.”