FEARS that Liphook will be turned into a "concrete jungle" were voiced at a planning meeting when councillors considered an application for 20 retirement homes next to the Royal Anchor Hotel in Longmoor Road.

The controversial plans have been met with fierce opposition from villagers worried that the homes would mean the loss of Liphook's only "green lung".

And at a meeting of the district council's south planning sub-committee the application was turned down by councillors. who were warned of the impact it would have on one of the village's most important historical buildings.

Deputy leader of the council Sam James was joined by representatives of the parish council and the local preservation society in pointing out the adverse affect 20 retirement homes would have on the Royal Anchor Hotel.

At the meeting last Thursday planning officer Julia Mansi said the proposed development has a density of 25 dwellings per hectare.

She pointed out that government planning guidelines state that density for housing schemes should be "significantly higher".

More than 30 letters had been received by the district council, including a letter of objection from local MP James Arbuthnot.

Chairman of the Bramshott and Liphook Preservation Society Adrian Bird, who spoke on behalf of individual objectors to the plans, said the development would seriously affect the viability of the Royal Anchor pub.

He reminded councillors that the site is not specifically identified in the local plan for development.

He said: "The Royal Anchor is one of the most outstanding and most important buildings in Liphook. It is important for many cultural reasons. It is greatly loved by many local people who have all used it and enjoyed it."

Mr Bird said the Anchor had been visited by many important people including Samuel Pepes, Lord Nelson and Queen Victoria.

Speaking on behalf of applicant Taywood Lifestyle Homes, Dennis Priestly said every effort had been made to preserve the character of the Royal Anchor.

He said the development would give Liphook the chance to offer housing to a broad age range.

Chairman of Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council Jim Walters said the parish council is strongly opposed to the plans.

Mr Walters said the Royal Anchor was built in 1550 and forms a very important part of Liphook's history.

He said: "Without these grounds the whole setting of the building will be lost. The land is in a conservation area and is not included in the local plan."

Mr Walters said he was also concerned about the proposed loss of the lay-by at the site which provides important parking space for the village. He told councillors an appeal fund is being set up so the parish council can be represented at an appeal.

Deputy leader of the council Sam James said he has strongly opposed the application from the start.

He proposed that the plans be refused for a number of reasons which were supported by the planning committee.

His objections were that the development would adversely affect the setting of the listed building in a conservation area, the "productive capacity" of the Royal Anchor, the setting of the listed buildings and the character of the area.

Judy Onslow said she was disappointed by the application and urged councillors to turn down the plans.

She said that developments in Liphook are turning the village into a "concrete jungle".