Plans for a new house in a Hampshire village have been unanimously refused over safety concerns.

Winchester City Council's planning officers had recommended that the new house in Catways, Hursley, be approved.

However, all nine members voted against it. 

The application by Mr and Mrs Church had received an objection from Hampshire County Council's highways department.

It said: “There is an existing dropped kerb pedestrian crossing point that crosses Heathcote Place which is being utilised as an access to this area of land.

“However, this is not a dropped kerb access and the highway authority do not support its use. The applicant is proposing to utilise this further to serve the proposed new dwelling. The highway authority would also not support this.

“Due to the location of this on the corner of Heathcote Place and Port Lane, the potential intensification of use, and the safety concerns of an access in this location to serve a new development, the highway authority would not support access in this location and raise an objection to the proposals on that basis.”

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The committee heard from two objectors. Polly Evans, of Catways, said: “This will intensify the use of an unsafe access. The design of the new house is not in keeping with the others in Catways.

“It's clearly overdevelopment of the site.”

James Brownlie, of Port Lane, added: “The groundworks would destroy mature trees. The design has no architectural merit and it's gross overdevelopment. 

“The additional house would increase pressure on parking in the area.”

Eleanor Bell, from Hursley Parish Council, said: “This is the wrong house in the wrong place. It is not a substantial corner plot. It forms an important part of the rural housing in the village. It must be protected. 

“The amenity value will be severely reduced. We believe that the space should be left as it is. The application must be refused.”

Caroline Downie, planning agent for the applicant, said: “The application will add to the local housing stock. The new dwelling will use the lawful access. 

“The design is in keeping with the local vernacular. The development will not have adverse impacts. We ask members to approve the application.”

The committee was not satisfied with the access arrangements. 

Cllr Brian Laming said: “I'm very unhappy with this. I feel there isn't enough detail on the access. I think it's severe overdevelopment.”

Cllr Russell Gordon-Smith said: “Increased traffic is a regular complaint, but we rarely see an objection from the highways department. It seems to me to be a very serious point.”

Committee chairman Cllr Jane Rutter said: “I also can't support the officer's recommendation. It's a rural, unspoilt village. It's also out of character and overdevelopment of the site.”

The committee unanimously agreed to refuse the application.