villagers in Bentley are shocked and outraged over a decision by East Hampshire District Council to grant outline permission for a 37-house development on land at Hole Lane.

The application, by Linden Homes, will provide 15 affordable and 22 open market units on a 1.93ha site, outside the settlement policy boundary, and comprising part arable field and part of the car park for the GP surgery, which is expected to benefit from parking improvements.

The application, discussed by committee at Penns Place, Petersfield, last Thursday, had attracted 43 letters of objection from residents concerned about pressure on services and infrastructure, flooding, traffic and road safety, scale, layout and density.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.