PLANS for 20 retirement homes at North Road in Petersfield have been opposed by town councillors despite cries that the development would tidy up a "messy" part of the town.

Chris Jenner told members of the planning committee that Petersfield had enough homes for the elderly and should be looking to provide more affordable housing for young people.

But Elsa Bulmer said the limited housing would make all the difference to the messy area and would give it a "degree of respectability".

This is the second application by Beechcroft Developments and has been reduced from 22 homes to 20 in line with Environment Agency requests.

The agency voiced fears over the potential flooding impact the development would have on Tilmore Brook.

Committee chairman George Watkinson pointed to a report from the developer, included with the planning documents, stating that there could still be flooding problems on the site.

Dr Brian Keefe said any local authority would "fall over backwards" to make sure that there was no danger of flooding after the punishment the country had received recently because of bad weather.

He was in favour of the development, which he said would be good for elderly people in the town.

He said: "That area has been an eyesore for a long time. It is nothing but scrubland. The only recreation it has been used for is by people walking their dogs.

"Last time the application came up we were impressed that it was such a high-class development. It would cater for retirement-age people and it is close to the town centre."

Dr Keefe added: "I don't think we should dismiss this out of hand. It could be made into an attractive part of Petersfield."

But Mr Jenner asked whether a site being an eyesore was a justifiable reason to build on the land.

He said: "The district council can force landowners to tidy up their land. If people are so minded then maybe we should ask the district council to exercise their powers.

"But the untidiness of an area is a very flimsy reason to build on it. We need affordable housing for young people."

Mr Jenner also pointed out that the site was not included in the local plan for housing and Bob Ayer said that the plans would have to be tested against this policy.

John Crowhurst agreed and told the committee that he would be worried about the Water Meadows land at Borough Road if this site was given permission for housing.

He said: "If this is allowed, what is going to prevent Tesco applying for planning permission along Borough Road?"

He added: "The anomaly is that an application for the Early Years Centre at Love Lane was turned down because of its intrusion on local open space.

"And what we have here is a proposal to fill in an area of local open space for housing."

Brian Keefe said the council approved this proposal when it came up last time but it was turned down by East Hampshire District Council officers under delegated powers.

Councillors agreed that this, and other major planning proposals affecting people in the town, should be discussed by the district council planning committee.

John Crowhurst said: "This should go for public discussion at the south planning sub-committee so we know what the feelings are of local people."

Councillors decided to object to the plans and the council's comments will be sent to the district council.