CONTENTIOUS plans to build yet more flats in Petersfield were dramatically thrown out last week as objectors crammed into East Hampshire District Council's debating chamber. Developer Kebell Homes wanted to demolish numbers 2 and 4 Buckmore Avenue and replace them with two blocks of six flats. And they had the support of EHDC planning officers, who were recommending the plans were given the go-ahead. But at a meeting of the council's south planning committee last week members rejected the application, fearing the town would soon be "gobbled up" by inappropriate housing. They slammed large-scale developers who, they claimed, were using Petersfield as a "gold mine". In October, Buckmore Avenue campaigners descended on Petersfield Town Council chamber to register their disapproval of the scheme. Speaking on behalf of residents in Buckmore Avenue and Woodbury Avenue Residents' Association and The Petersfield Society last week, Mark Cooper told councillors the designs were "beyond comprehension" and "completely misleading". He said: "It is estimated that 30 to 40 metres of hedge will be lost, altering the street scene. "There is also concern that this will create a dangerous and unacceptable precedent. "The statement that it will not harm the area is completely incorrect." They were supported by Bell Hill councillor Guy Stacpoole, who told members there were grave concerns about increased traffic and parking and a risk to the ecology of the area. He said: "In a developing town such as Petersfield it is as important to protect higher- grade housing that people may aspire to as it is to ensure a good supply of starter housing for the young to get on the ladder. "If this application were to be allowed, the line ensuring this natural progression for people and the protection of Petersfield's character will have been broken. "At that stage we would be able to say good bye to Love Lane, Shear Hill, the housing around The Heath and most of the finer roads and characteristics of Petersfield, all to be gobbled up by developers acting out the macabre scenario of destruction encouraged by the deputy prime minister." Brian Dutton added: "We as a planning committee are the last line of defence against developers. These are large places which could become developers' gold mines." lA second proposal for the site from the same developer was also thrown out last week. Kebell Homes wanted to demolish numbers 2 and 4 Buckmore Avenue, but this time replace them with six detached dwellings.
