COUNCILLORS believe it is inevitable that dozens of new homes will be built on a coveted piece of farmland on the edge of Petersfield.

But they have refused to back a strongly-opposed application that could result in 230 new homes being built on Causeway Farm.

Town councillors found themselves in a difficult position on Tuesday because of their involvement with the Petersfield Neighbourhood Plan.

Petersfield Town Council has opposed the outline application by Barratt Homes, 4LL and Bovis Homes because of its prematurity.

The neighbourhood plan is a community-led blueprint that will decide where housing should be built around the town over the next two decades.

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