A PLANNING application for residential development at Bleaches Yard on Station Road has been lost on appeal.

The proposed redevelopment of the site to provide 11 houses, following the demolition of a building, was turned down twice by East Hampshire District Council, and the appeal by Elsmore Construction has also been dismissed.

The application for the site close to the main railway line was first received in December 2013 and has also been strongly opposed by Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council’s planning committee.

EHDC’s decision stated the proposed residential development would result in an unacceptable loss of employment land that would further reduce the supply of employment land in the district, noting the council has insufficient industrial space to meet future needs up to 2028.

Government inspector Paul Freer also raised concerns as to why the property was advertised for sale at a price significantly in excess of its market value.

In February last year, the property was advertised for sale at £775,000, which, as the inspector pointed out, was significantly in excess of the market value of £450,000, placed upon the freehold interest of the building in a report commissioned by the appellant in November 2013.

The inspector concluded his report stating that greater weight should be afforded to the retention of the existing employment use than the construction of 11 new housing units.

He also added that the adverse impacts resulting from the loss of employment land would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits arising from the proposed development.