AFTER submitting another change of location for the proposed 26 allotments on the land off Longmoor Road, Lowsley Farm developers Easterton have been again been refused planning permission by East Hampshire District Council.

Outline permission was given for 155 dwellings by the district council for phase one of the development back in December 2012.

Another two applications were submitted in July 2014, one for additional residential development of 175 dwelling, which has been rejected by the planning authority, and the other for a sustainable alternative natural greenspace (SANG) located to the north of Lark Rise, which was approved.

Under the original planning application the allotments to be provided during the first phase were to be located in the SANG.

After a revised location was approved by EHDC, the developers sought approval to provide the allotments and ancillary car park along the western boundary within phase two, which is the same location as proposed within the outline planning application for the rejected second phase of the development.

The proposal provided an area of 1,500 square metres, housing 26 allotments, as well as a single communal allotment store with individual lockers to store equipment. There were also two communal areas of storage proposed for shared items, such as wheelbarrows.

Access to the allotments and the 10 proposed parking spaces, including one disabled space located south of the allotments, would have been through the first phase.

Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council’s planning committee members strongly objected to the siting of the allotments in this application.

They raised concerns, since the applicant stated the allotments would first be offered to the parish council, and they felt the proposals’ long-term implications needed to be considered.

Councillors objections included the location of allotments, which would be shaded by trees, on the lowest point of the site with a high water table and constantly wet soil from existing springs through the site.

They were also unhappy over the siting of the sustainable drainage system (SUDS) adjacent to the proposed allotments, and objected to the proposals for a single community building since there were no financial proposals for its long-term maintenance.

In addition, councillors said that consultation with existing allotment holders in the parish confirmed concerns about additional trips to access tools and equipment and security concerns about ease of theft if all equipment is kept in one building.

Allotment holders proclaimed an overriding preference to have individual sheds for ease of access as well as to restrict opportunities for theft.

lReside Developments have lodged plans for 36 new homes on land off Headley Road, adjacent to the A3. Parish councillors have raised concerns about theproposed access and the lack of a footpath along the busy Headley Road, but supported the proposal in principle.