WINCHESTER planning chiefs have given the green light for 30 new homes to be built at a site in Kings Worthy, despite concerns about traffic noise.

Some of the homes off Willis Waye will be built just 20 metres from the busy A34 dual-carriageway.

The council decision will disappoint Kings Worthy and Headbourne Worthy parish councils as well as 36 local residents who objected to the scheme.

Alan Waterman, who has lived in Willis Waye for 30 years, said the neighbourhood was not suitable for more homes.

He said: “My house backs onto the A34 and the noise levels have got worse over the last few years. It is the Euro route to the midlands for HGVs. You can no longer hold a conversation in our back garden.”

Other concerns included the narrowness of nearby Church Lane, loss of garages leading to more on-street parking, and safety concerns for children playing on the green.

But planning officers recommended the scheme be approved because 29 of the 30 dwellings will be ‘affordable’ housing. Nine are to be shared equity, while the rest will be rented from housing associations.

Jill Lee, principal planning officer at the city council, said: “We are giving planning permission because although it is a noisy site, this opportunity has come to us to develop a site with 100 per cent affordable housing.”

The council usually insists up to 50 per cent of new housing developments are affordable dwellings. But because the local authority owns part of the one hectare site, it struck a deal to have more low-cost homes.

Under the plan, a council house and garage court to the rear of Willis Waye and Meadowsweet will be demolished to make way for the two-storey houses. No flats are planned.

Officers said conditions attached to the planning permission would reduce road noise such as double-glazing and mechanical ventilation. The gardens will also be sited to the front of the houses.

Phil Tidridge, scientific officer for Winchester City Council, said: “The level of noise with the windows open will cause sleep disturbance to some people, therefore, mechanical ventilation will be required.”

Independent Cllr Georgina Busher said: “My main concern is the issue of noise.

“During our site visit we had difficulty at times hearing what people were saying.”

But Cllr Ian Tait backed the scheme as providing “muchneeded affordable housing”.

The planning sub-committee granted planning permission by six votes to one.

Hampshire county councillor Jackie Porter, who spoke against the scheme, said: “I am desperately disappointed.

“I am very concerned that the people moving in there will end up with long-term health problems because of sleep deprivation.”