A DEVELOPER who wants to build 20 retirement homes in Petersfield has urged East Hampshire District councillors to debate his plan and not leave it to their officers to decide.

Despite the fact it had the backing of town councillors, Beechcroft Developments' first application, which was for 22 homes with a public open space on land next to North Road, was thrown out by officers last September.

This week a second plan has been submitted, reducing the number of homes in line with Environment Agency worries about Tilmore Brook, and managing director Christopher Thompson urged East Hampshire district councillors to debate it at a planning committee rather than leave it to officers.

He said he had been shocked to discover the first plan had never been debated, as it had the support of the town council.

He told The Herald: "All planning applicants spend quite a lot of time putting applications together and we do pay a fee, so one expects local authorities will deal with them in a responsible manner, particularly in situations where town or parish councils are supporting the application.

Local authorities should be duty bound to take account of local views when they are making decisions about applications."

He said he believed the views of local people, whether they approved of or objected to a plan, were "an important factor for planning authorities to take into account".

Mr Thompson believes Beechcroft is offering a valuable planning package to Petersfield by making improvements to a dangerous junction and providing public open space on a piece of land currently in private ownership.

"Curiously this land has been identified in the local plan as suitable for public open space, despite being in private ownership, and for a small amount of housing," said Mr Thompson.

He added: "The reality is that they have got a local plan policy which says they are actively trying to bring this land forward for public open space and they will not achieve this unless they approve our plan."

He said Beechcroft's proposal was a major benefit to Petersfield. "We have local support and we feel it is worthy of a debate by district councillors."

The plan was refused on nine grounds last September, essentially because officers said it contravened planning policy and the Environment Agency was concerned that houses were too close to Tilmore Brook.

It has now been amended and the swimming pool and two units have been removed.

"This will allow what is currently a very scruffy field to be brought forward for a substantial amount of public open space involving links from the recreation area to the town. We see it as a way of improving the whole area," said Mr Thompson.

Beechcroft is planning 20 homes in two or three-bedroomed cottages with some flats in a courtyard-style development.

Mr Thompson said he expected two thirds of the homes to be taken up by people who lived within five miles of Petersfield.

Last year town council planners generally welcomed the plan. They said they thought it was an ideal development for the site.

Town councillor George Watkinson told The Herald: "I am glad to see this plan come back because we need this sort of housing in the town, but until I see the plans I cannot make any detailed comment."