A WINCHESTER developer has been refused permission for a controversial development in Weeke for the second time.

Applicant Sam Doswell, of Doswell Projects, said that the plan for 49 Stoney Lane had addressed the concerns of the original scheme.

But members of Winchester City Council’s planning committee disagreed and rejected the scaled-back application.

The developer had hoped to get permission to demolish an existing home and build four two-bedroom terraced chalet bungalows and two three-bedroom semi-detached chalet bungalows.

Mr Doswell was refused permission in June 2019 for a scheme to develop four three-bedroom semi-detached houses and four two-bedroom apartments which drew criticism from neighbours and councillors.

Similar concerns were aired as the most recent proposal went before the committee earlier this month.

Neighbour Keith Adams, who was one of 19 households to object, addressed the panel. He said: “This recent proposal still represents an overdevelopment of this prominent and important corner. Six dwellings are proposed that have an overall density which will result in a lack of any meaningful green and amenity space.

“The four bungalows fronting Stoney Lane span the entire site and totally disregard the previous strictly enforced front building line this would an alarming precedent if accepted.”

Mr Adams said the homes facing St Matthews Road will have windows and patio doors that overlook his home and garden which would “severely impact our privacy”.

Concerns were raised that the development would add to the on-street parking congestion in the road.

There would also be a loss of mature trees, which the council has only recently applied a protection order to, Mr Adams said “would dramatically and permanently damage the whole tone of this important corner”.

Ward councillor Kelsie Learney said: “They have by-passed the opportunity to take pre-application advice, forced a hearing before this committee by gaining more than six letters of support. It considers a highly sensitive plot inhibited underdeveloped block of largely detached low-rise chalet homes the development of which will create an important precedent in this part of St Barnabas ward.”

The committee was told that Mr Doswell had not decided to gain pre-application advice before submitting his latest bid, which was met with discontent.

Member Cllr Patrick Cunningham said: “A very highly prominent place this is right on Stoney Lane and St Matthews Road. It’s one of those sites where everyone passes on the way to and from the shops and so on. It projects in front of the building line.

“Look at the development overall it is an overdevelopment and completely out of character with the actual housing in the area.”

And chair Cllr Therese Evans added: “I don’t think that this fits in with the feel of that road. There does need to be something that fits in and this is a very cramped proposal.”

Mr Doswell is now able to appeal the decision with the Planning Inspectorate.