A PLANNING application for six new homes in Sheet has controversially been blocked by councillors. East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) planners were split over the plans for the development on a triangular area of land between Farnham Road and the railway line, with nine out of 17 councillors voting against the proposal. Sixty-nine letters of objection received by EHDC. The biggest worries were over-development, flooding, and that the scheme was out of keeping with the village's character. Four detached houses and two semi-detached homes were outlined for the site, which would see the demolition of the existing Sunnymeade bungalow. Planners said the application was "complicated" because of the steep levels at the site. Vaughan Clarke, on behalf of Petersfield Town Council, said: "Sheet is not just an attachment to the town of Petersfield but a village in its own right. Petersfield Town Council objects to the application as it does not address the fact of over-urbanisation of what is essentially a rural plot." But Bob Ayer countered, saying: "My heart is in this village. However, I do not believe that an objection on the basis of of over-development would be sustainable. I cannot see any sound reason for refusing this application." After the verdict, south planning chairman Sam James said: "The proposal would result in an unacceptable development on this steeply sloping site, involving buildings of excessive size, height, scaling and massing which would be detrimental to the edge of the settlement and the semi-rural character of the area, and would be detrimental to the amenity and outlook of adjacent dwellings."
