AN application to build 17 homes in Four Marks has been dismissed at appeal.

The applicants had hoped to demolish two dwellings, at 32 Telegraph Lane, known as Noah’s Ark, and another at 5 Blackberry Lane, to pave the way for the new development.

Eleven of the 17 homes planned were to have been sold at market cost, with six as affordable housing, with garages, parking provision and new access roads.

However, the project – which had received a significant number of objections from residents – has now been sent back to the drawing board.

Government inspector Kenneth Stone explained that the appeal centred around local housing need and whether the settlement could “accommodate the proposed development”.

There were also issues surrounding the effect the new homes would have on the “character and appearance of the area, including its impact on protected trees” as well as the strain it would place on the infrastructure in Four Marks.

Mr Stone concluded that the council could demonstrate an adequate five-year housing supply, recognised that there would be “additional pressure” on local facilities and said the houses would encroach “into the open countryside outside the Settlement Policy Boundary of Four Marks”.

All this would lead to “material harm” to the character of the area, he said.

“Weighed against these matters are the positive weight I give to the provision of affordable housing and the minor economic benefits that would arise from development. But they are not such as to outweigh the harm that I have identified,” he added.

Four Marks councillor Ingrid Thomas said she was “absolutely delighted” that the inspector had dismissed the appeal.

“He recognised that Four Marks is a small local service centre and the numbers of recent approvals for housing would put significant pressure on the limited infrastructure that is available,” she added.

“He has concluded therefore that additional development would not be sustainable.

“He has also noted the importance of the large oak tree on the bend in Blackberry Lane which contributes to the character of the area, I am very pleased it will not now be damaged.

“Last week there was another appeal for the site behind 131 Winchester Road. “I am hopeful that will also be dismissed. Our Neighbourhood Plan continues to make good progress through the system and we are hopeful of a properly plan led future of development in the villages.

“We the local residents have felt that the amount of development in Four Marks and south Medstead is unsustainable for some time. There is considerable worry about the effect that having four large development sites being constructed at the same time will have on local life.”

An EHDC spokesman added: “The inspector supported the council in that the majority development, being outside of the settlement policy boundary of Four Marks, was not sustainable development as the council had a five-year land supply.

“The area had already taken significant levels of development above the 150 minimum set out in the Local Plan and there was already significant pressure on the restrict infrastructure in Four Marks/ south Medstead.

“The development would cause harm to the character and appearance of the area due to its impact on the open character of the countryside and important protected oak on Blackberry Lane.

“In addition, the maximum five contributions towards improving education faculties at Four Marks School had already been taken, so the development could not provide any more to mitigate the need for more school places that the development caused.”