AN appeal has been lodged with the Government inspectorate over East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) planning committee’s refusal to grant permission for the building of eight new dwellings on land west of Bentley Industrial Centre on grounds of “unacceptable and unjustified loss of employment land”.

The application, by CY Developments Ltd of Haslemere, calls for the erection of five market and three affordable homes on 0.27-hectares of scrubland, adjacent to industrial estate on Old A31 at Bentley, north of Alton.

EHDC planners refused the application in February on grounds that the proposal would further reduce the supply of employment land in East Hampshire, which has insufficient industrial space to meet future needs to 2028.

In addition, the proposed layout was felt to be of “poor design” in terms of the extent of hardstanding, orientation of properties, and proximity of dwellings to the southern boundary of the site.

There was concern that the development could not be accommodated in a manner that would not cause increased danger and inconvenience to other highway users, that the floodlighting on the industrial estate would cause light pollution for householders, and that the proposed development would neither preserve nor enhance the setting of Bentley Conservation Area nor the character of the countryside.

The application had attracted 23 public letters of objection, citing fears over “creeping urbanisation”, increased traffic generation, safety and impact, and the fact that an industrial estate was considered to be an “inappropriate” location for housing.

Like EHDC, Bentley Parish Council felt the site should be retained to encourage the creation of new business and jobs in the village.

The appeal is to be determined via a site visit and written representation. Letters should be sent to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/06, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN quoting reference APP/M1710/W/15/3100547 to arrive no later than October 6.