SELBORNE residents are preparing to fight the next stage in a battle to prevent a planned development at the northern end of the village.

The outline application, by farmer Hamish Janson, to build 30 new homes at Burlands Field - a 1.77 hec-tare site between Selborne Road and Gracious Street - was turned down in August when the South Downs National Park Authority upheld the view of most residents that a new development of this scale, and in this location, was a "non-starter".

If the go ahead had been given, the development would have provided a mix of 18 open-market and 12 social houses, with access onto the main B3006 Selb-orne to Alton road.

It was, however, a temporary victory for the objectors. With East Hampshire District Council and the national park still working to produce an acceptable joint core strategy, there has never been a better time for would-be developers to try their luck on Gilbert White's hallowed turf.

Despite yet another rejection, having tried over many years to develop Burlands Field, Mr Janson has decided to take his application to appeal.

For full story, see this week's Bordon Herald.