A PUBLIC inquiry has been scheduled for January 19 into an application to build 33 homes on land east of Headley Road, Lindford.

The controversial proposal was thrown out by East Hampshire District Council in January.

Councillors’ main reasons were concerns over the impact on the character of the landscape and the effect on the local gap between Lindford and Headley. At the meeting there were also fears about flooding and drainage on the site, adjacent to Hatch House Farm.

However, following the decision, landowner David Evans claimed committee members used “gross exaggerations” about “highly emotive issues” such as flooding in order to sway the vote away from the officer recommendation of permission. As such the applicants appealed against the decision.

A Government inspector will host the inquiry at Lindford village hall at 10am. It is expected to last four days.