A PARISH council has branded the permission to build a new garage as "urbanisation of the countryside".

Plans were recently permitted for the construction of a two-bay garage in Upper Crabbick Lane, Denmead.

Cllr Paula Langford-Smith objected at Winchester City Council's planning committee. She said: “There is no necessity for the garage in a rural setting. It would be inappropriate. 

“There is already sufficient room on the driveway. It would be detrimental to the character of the area. We are asking you to refuse this application to discourage more vehicles from parking at the site and protect the garden amenity.”

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A comment from the parish council said: “There is no necessity or operational need for this development in a rural setting, nor is it proportionate to the countryside location of this site. It would cause harm to the character and landscape of the area and create inappropriate traffic generation. This is urbanisation of the countryside.”

Despite the concerns, the planning officer recommended it for permission. In the planning report, it said: “The proposed new access, gates and garage are within the settlement boundary and are within scale of the existing dwelling and site. The new access with its visibility splays defined does not prove to have any potential harm to highway safety. Consideration has been given to its relationship to the rural character of the area with the small loss of 3-4m of hedgerow. The proposed garage will not result in adverse overlooking, overbearing or overshadowing impacts to the adjacent dwellings. The application is therefore considered to be acceptable and in accordance with the development plan and material planning matters do not indicate an alternative approach should be taken.”

The planning committee permitted the scheme unanimously.