A SCHEME to clear industrial land and build offices and 70 new homes in Bishop's Waltham was approved by planners.

Permission was given a few years ago for a smaller number of houses at the Abbey Mill site in Station Road.

However, the owners, James Duke and Son (Holdings) Ltd, did not implement the scheme.

Instead, they applied for a more dramatic revamp of the site, which is 50 yards from the Bishop's Waltham Palace ruins.

Under the plans, the two-storey industrial sheds, which are used for activities such as vehicle maintenance, would be demolished.

In their place would go several new offices, along with 70 homes, of which 21 would be "affordable".

The original Abbey Mill building, which was built in 1862, would be retained and converted into offices.

Scores of residents turned up to voice their objections at a public meeting in Bishop's Waltham earlier this year.

Several also wrote to Winchester City Council to register their concerns.

The authority's planning committee had the task of making a final decision at its meeting last Thursday (July 26).

It heard that residents were worried about flooding from South Pond nearby, and pollution at the site.

They also raised concerns that Bishop's Waltham would be left with insufficient units for industrial firms.

City council officers said the flooding risk was low, as the Environment Agency had just finished drainage works.

Andrew Lowe, director of PLB Architects, which designed the scheme, said the offices could provide up to 170 jobs, which was more than the industrial units.

Dorothy Quiney of Bishop's Waltham Parish Council urged the committee against granting permission. The parish view was that the community needed a range of jobs, including industrial, she said.

Committee member, Cllr Georgina Busher, who represents the area, also opposed the plan.

She added: "Where is the need to suddenly build 70 homes in Bishop's Waltham?"

However, she was a lone voice, as the rest of the committee decided to back the scheme.

Cllr John Beveridge added: "If it can be delivered then it should be delivered, as what is there at the moment is totally unsatisfactory."

The committee then granted permission by nine votes to one.