Councillors throw out proposals for Blue Ball Hill, Winchester (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Councillors throw out proposals for Blue Ball Hill, Winchester

12:20pm Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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CONTENTIOUS plans to build on Winchester’s last remaining meadow were last Thursday refused for a second time.

Councillors unanimously turned down proposals to put 14 homes in Blue Ball Hill, off Alresford Road.

They went against the views of Winchester City Council planning officers, who recommended the scheme be approved.

The latest refusal comes a yearand- a-half since councillors rejected a similar scheme for the site — the last meadow within the city.

Robert Adam Architects said it had heeded advice from a planning inspector — who ruled the scheme had an overbearing impact — by reducing its height and moving it away from neighbouring properties.

But David Battye, an objector speaking at the planning committee, said: “It devalues the local character, it does not enhance or preserve it.”

Prospective Winchester MPs Steve Brine and Martin Tod, nearly 40 residents, and the City of Winchester Trust, also opposed the scheme.

Cllr Georgina Busher said: “I’m concerned if we go against this application we are going to find ourselves in a tricky position if it’s overturned at appeal.”

Last November budget supermarket Aldi was awarded around £50,000 in costs after councillors wrongly contested an application for a store in Weeke.

She added: “I’m not certain, whatever our reservations and regrets, that we have heard material concerns on which we can legitimately refuse this application.”

Cllr Barry Lipscomb said: “My overwhelming objection is what this is doing to the visual environment — it’s going to change it and change it adversely.

“I think it’s going to be a very injurious development to what is a very sensitive site.

“I don’t think the developers have got it right.”

Cllr Therese Evans said the L-shaped terrace proposed still had an overbearing impact on nearby St Martin’s Close.

The committee officially rejected the plans on the grounds they did not address concerns about the scheme’s overbearing nature.

Hugh Petter, director of Robert Adam Architects, speaking after the decision, said: “It is obviously very disappointing that the members of the planning committee have decided once again to go against their own officers’ advice to approve this scheme.

“I will certainly be advising my client to lodge a planning appeal and to seek legal advice about the possibility of making an application for costs against the local authority.”

What do you think? Is building inevitable or should the meadow be kept green? Leave your comments below.