No plans submitted for controversial field (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Council pondering action as stop notice on Ropley field expires

7:30pm Thursday 7th January 2010 in Alresford By Chris Harris

PLANNERS are today pondering their next move after a landowner failed to submit proposals for a controversial field near Alresford.

Two caravans and hard-standing were installed on the plot off Gascoigne Lane, Ropley, without permission early last month.

Villagers – fearing it would become a travellers’ site – raised the alarm with East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), who issued the landowner with a stop notice. It ordered Mr J Hughes not to bring anything else onto the field for 28 days to allow a planning application to be submitted for retrospective permission.

But EHDC today confirmed no plans had been received despite the stop notice expiring yesterday (Wednesday).

Lesley Wells, EHDC planning and compliance manager, said: “We're looking at the options available to the planning authority and a decision will be announced shortly.

“The adverse weather has been a factor in the matter and has slowed the process a little but we’re working to resolve the situation as soon as possible.”

Matthew Green, who is representing Mr Hughes, told the Hampshire Chronicle last month that an application for three caravans and stables would be submitted.

Mr Hughes, it is believed, paid around £150,000 for the 13.5-acre plot, which he bought from Tom Hough, of Gilbert Street Farm.

The agricultural plot was put on the market last summer with a guide price of £115,000.