EAST Hampshire planners have thrown out a contentious outline application which would have seen as many as 68 new homes built on a four-acre greenfield site to the rear of 97, 99, 101 and 105 Blackberry Lane in Four Marks.

The application by Fleet-based Shanly Homes Ltd attracted strong opposition from residents concerned by the impact of yet more housing, some of it up to three storeys high, on the character of the surrounding area, on services and infrastructure, and of another 360 vehicle movements a day on the surrounding road network.

The view was supported by Four Marks Parish Council.

At the June 13 meeting of East Hampshire District Council’s planning committee, these concerns were upheld with a refusal based on the fact that the application site lies outside the settlement policy boundary for the village of Four Marks and that the proposed residential development would be contrary to local and national planning policy which seeks to resist development in the countryside save for exceptional circumstances.

It was pointed out that the developer was proposing 40 per cent affordable housing which falls short of the 70 per cent provision required by East Hampshire District Council’s joint core strategy (local plan) and fails to provide a range of dwelling tenures and types reflective of affordable housing need.

In addition, there was felt to be insufficient information to demonstrate that the proposed development wouldn’t result in a detrimental impact on protected species, in particular bats, badgers, slow-worms and hazel dormice, nor to demonstrate that the proposed number and density of the dwellings could be satisfactorily accommodated on the site without detrimental impact to the character and appearance of this part of Four Marks village.

There was concern too over the impact on the safe operation of the existing highway and pedestrian network and lack of provision for the relevant financial contributions and other infrastructure requirements of the development plan.

In reaching this conclusion, East Hampshire District Council demonstrated a “robust” five-year housing land supply.