A CONTROVERSIAL scheme for seven homes in a Hampshire village will be decided by planners next week.

The proposal, first submitted in 2022, is for the properties on the land east of Burnet Lane in Kings Worthy.

The application, from Shorewood Homes, is recommended for permission by Winchester City Council planning officers, despite it getting 45 objections. 

It will be decided by the planning committee on Wednesday, January 10. 

In the officers' report, it said: “The applicant has worked with officers, and it is considered that the resulting scheme can be supported. The proposal for seven dwellings in this location is acceptable and not out of character to the spatial characteristics of the surrounding area. The proposal will be visible from the neighbouring properties but will not have an unacceptable adverse impact on residential amenity. There are no highway objections to the proposal.

READ MORE: Planning meeting row over road to Welborne new town

“Overall, the scheme is well designed and will create a distinctive addition to the local area. Other planning considerations, such as landscape, ecology drainage, water, construction and waste management have been addressed appropriately. The application is therefore considered acceptable.”

Kings Worthy Parish Council had no objections.

Objector Mark Stevenson, of Ilex Close, said: “I objected to the original planning application and continue to object to this amended version. When the present development on Top Field was built the agreement was that the rest of Top Field would be granted to the community in perpetuity so I do not understand why more building is even being considered.”

Cllr Steve Cramoysan, The Worthys ward member, submitted an objection in June 2022. 
On the application's planning statement, it said: “The revised scheme has been carefully considered and will provide a high-quality development reflecting the applicant’s desire to create an attractive development, of a design that responds positively to local character and adjacent development, whilst ensuring that suitable areas of habitat are created for dormice, bats and other wildlife.

“It is considered that the planning application benefits from both the presumption in favour of sustainable development and the statutory provision that applications should be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.”

For more details, about the application, search 22/00819/FUL on Winchester City Council's online planning portal.