THE village of Farringdon has come a step closer to a solution to the havoc wreaked both on the environment and on peopleÕs lives by a controversial development which many believe should never have been built.

A new two-pronged proposal has now been agreed which would see the demolition of the ÒbedevilledÓ Chase Fields affordable housing development on the A32 and the construction of 16 new homes on an adjacent site.

It is a proposal, however, which Òflies in the faceÓ of all planning policy and one which will be investigated by GOSE (Government Office for the South East), bringing with it fears that it could either be dismissed out of hand or that the village may end up with a much larger development than first envisaged.

Chase Fields was constructed in 1993 as an exception development to provide affordable accommodation for local people. Linked to a similar four-home development at Chase View, the 12 properties at Chase Fields were evacuated on Christmas Eve 2000 when serious flooding sent residents fleeing from their homes to take refuge in AltonÕs Swan Hotel.

Since then the properties, managed at the time by the New Downland Housing Association, have stood empty.

Downland eventually did the right thing by first re-housing those in rented accommodation and eventually agreeing to purchase the leases back from those eight families in shared ownership accommodation, none of whom have been able to afford to purchase another property in the village and have been forced to move away.

While questions have since been raised over the culpability of the decision to build on a recognised flood plain, there appears to be no clear cut answer. And, while in theory the existing houses could be refurbished and re-occupied, the site has now been deemed at Òhigh riskÓ from flooding.

Furthermore, following extensive research, Downland has concluded that re-occupation, coupled with expensive engineering works to mitigate the risk of further flood damage, would be too expensive, unless the properties could be sold on the open market.

A compromise has therefore been reached, thanks to Landford Homes, which has stepped in with an alternative suggestion which, while only providing four affordable units (representing 25 per cent of the total), would include the demolition of the existing properties at Chase Fields which could then be restored and used to provide informal open space and a much needed playground for the village.

The developer also plans to re-use some of the original building materials.

While representing a complete departure from the local plan, it is a proposal which East Hampshire District CouncilÕs north planning committee felt able to justify as a viable solution to a difficult problem.

Following a lead by committee chairman and local member, Patrick Burridge, they granted a ÒcautiousÓ permission for the new 16-home development which would comprise a mix of two, three, four and five bedroom properties on an adjacent site to the south of Maplecombe Farm.

The flooding was predicted by locals, some of whom had photographs taken in previous years showing Chase Fields under water and being used as a boating lake. They feared that, apart from being an eyesore, the empty homes have represented a health hazard which could attract both rats and squatters.

The decision to flatten the site and to provide the village with a play area had, therefore, been welcomed with open arms by residents.