PLANS to build three detached houses at White Lilacs in Headley were rejected by East Hampshire District Council's north planning committee last week. Members had rejected similar schemes in the past believing them to be out of keeping with the character of that part of the village. White Lilacs is a detached, older property accessed off the Liphook Road and near to its junction with Crabtree Lane. The proposal was to develop the rear garden, which extends behind the neighbouring property, 'Little Follies', by creating an access through Pound Close. Pound Close is an estate consisting of bungalows built in the 1960s and the site is currently separated from that area by a conifer hedge. There is also a change in levels between the two sites, with the application site at a lower level than Pound Close. This latest application was for full permission to build three four-bedroomed houses with attached garaging. It differs from the previous application in that the height to the ridge of the properties has been reduced by about two feet. Seventeen letters of objection were received raising concerns about over-development of the site, the development being out of character, no provision of smaller housing, inadequate parking, loss of privacy to Little Follies, loss of trees and wildlife and increased traffic in Pound Close. There were also concerns that this type of development would set a precedent. Case officer Keith Oliver's recommendation was that permission be granted subject to amended plans regarding the size of the garages proposed and provided that, within nine months, all parties enter into a section 106 agreement. Anthony Williams said: "This is the third time that this application has come up. The parish council doesn't feel that 0.75 metres makes much difference to the height. The 25 neighbouring properties are all bungalows, which are identical, so I feel that this development would detract from the appearance of the area. I feel that single- storey dwellings would be more in keeping, more sympathetic." Geoffrey Whittle said: "The reduction in height will make a difference but nevertheless they are still chalet-style dwellings in bungalow land. They are out of keeping with the road and are changing the street scene." Zoya Faddy suggested it might be better to go for this plan with the modifications rather than risk losing at appeal. In the event, councillors voted against the officer's recommendation for permission and instead went for refusal on the grounds of the development being out of keeping with the street scene.
