PLANS for 24 self-build homes and the demolition of a riding stables near Bishop's Waltham have been rejected by Winchester planners.

Patrick Reilley and landowner Elisabeth Boyes applied to knock down Quob Stables in Durley and also build a community hall/village shop and create new parking and footpaths for the local school and Holy Cross Church as well as public open space on the current paddocks.

But the plans for land off Durley Brook Road was controversial, sparking 52 objections, with 23 letters in support.

Planning officers urged refusal saying there was no justification for new homes in the countryside.

Objector Gill Mulley addressed the city council planning committee and asked whether the Quob stables business had been "allowed to decline to allow this application to be made?"

Cllr Gabe Rappini, of Durley Parish Council, said any new housing should be "parish council and not developer-led" and said a village shop was unviable with the closure of the local shop after too much competition nearby from larger stores.

City councillor Michael Kurn said: "This application deeply concerns residents seeing an aggressive application from a developers who feel they can come in and get what they want."

He said the 23 new homes would generate 40 cars and "would turn Durley into more of a rat-run than it currently is."

Cllr Kurn said Durley wanted to see local homes for local people and key workers not a plan "sneaked in under the guise of self-build". The 23 homes would be valued at £400,000 meaning buyers would need an income of at least £80,000 a year, he told the committee.

Hampshire Chronicle: CGI of the proposed self-build homes at Quob Stables

Louise Cutts, applicant for the agent, said the plan would improve local biodiversity and that self-build filled a gap between affordable and open market homes.

The new community building would be gifted to the community whether as a shop or community or business use. "This is an important community project for Durley", Ms Cutts said.

In debate, Cllr Frank Pearson said the current Quob building was an eyesore but that the proposal was on land designated in planning terms as countryside. "I can't see any reason for it being built."

Committee chairman Therese Evans agreed: "Development should be led by the community. I appreciate the work the developer has put in but that isn't a reason to grant permission. It is against the local plan, it's countryside, which only allows ribbon development, and no housing is currently (in the local plan) allocated to Durley."

The committee voted by eight to none to reject the scheme, with one abstention.