PERMISSION has been given to extend a Winchester cul-de-sac, despite concerns from residents and some council members.

Bewley Homes wanted to build four extra properties beside a larger development that it has nearly finished.

The new cul-de-sac, Wychwood Place, was created after several residents on the northern side of Park Road sold off part of their gardens.

Another householder recently followed suit, giving Bewley Homes enough room to add a further four houses.

However, before they could start work, they needed permission from the city council.

Its planning committee met last Thursday to decide if the expansion could proceed.

Council officers backed the plans, adding that the new homes would not overlook neighbouring properties.

However, nine residents wrote to the council to object. One of them was Claire Burge, who moved to Wychwood Place earlier this year.

"We were sold a family home at the end of a cul-de-sac. This is not to be the case if this goes forward," she said.

Sam Blakey - who moved into a house at Park Road after much of its garden was already sold - was also unhappy.

"All over Winchester we are seeing gardens like this lost to feed the greed of developers.

"There are surely better ways of meeting our demand for new housing," she added.

Andrew Morris, representing Bewley Homes, said they either had to build on plots like Park Road, or greenfield sites. He added that extending the cul-de-sac would not compromise road safety.

"The road is designed to be low-speed and I would hope that the people that live in the cul-de-sac will respect their neighbours and drive carefully," said Mr Morris.

Conservative member, Cllr Barry Lipscomb, said: "Despite what some people might wish, people don't always drive safely through cul-de-sacs," he warned.

His Tory colleague, Cllr Neil Baxter, added that Park Road itself was dangerous, especially near the railway bridge.

However, Cllr Thrse Evans, Lib Dem, stated that while the scheme looked "cramped", it was hard to find a legal reason to refuse it.

Members backed the plans by eight votes to three.