A CONTROVERSIAL application for two mobile homes and two touring caravans at Alton Lane, Four Marks, was given the go ahead last week despite more than 100 residents objecting.

East Hampshire District Council’s planning committee voted eight to two in favour of the officer recommendation.

Much of the debate at Thursday’s hearing, held at Penns Place, Petersfield, centred on the council’s five-year supply of gypsy and traveller accommodation which has now been met.

Mark Wallis lives next door to the site and told the committee about concerns he had with “straight lines of sight” from the proposed development into both his and his daughter’s bedroom windows.

He also argued that not only was the council’s supply of sites met with adequate applications granted, there were also plenty more in the pipeline. As such he said there was “no need” to grant permission and given the “unsuitability” and “harm” to neighbouring properties he urged councillors to refuse.

Four Marks Parish Council chairman Janet Foster said members had “strongly” opposed the site which would be “squeezed” between two rural dwellings.

She insisted it was “out of character with the local street scene” and “materially harmful” to the area.

The council’s report on the application stated it was “now likely to be able to demonstrate a five-year supply” of 19 pitches in the period 2017 to 2022.

However, it explained “there is still requirement to address need and the site is considered suitable having regard to all other material considerations”.

The report said while “there would be some harm to the intrinsic rural character and appearance of the site”, that impact is “considered to be minimal”.