PLANNING permission has been granted for a dozen new homes on the site of the former Stephenson Engineering yard in Wrecclesham Hill.

Councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of the proposal by Kirkby Homes at the February 10 meeting of Waverley Borough Council’s western planning committee.

The developer proposes six two-bedroom and six three-bedroom two-storey houses on the derelict site opposite the junction with Echo Barn Lane.

Three detached commercial buildings formerly occupied by Stephenson Engineering will be demolished as part of the works.

Carole Cockburn, councillor for The Bourne, said: “I would have thought there would be a collective cheer in the area when this planning application came in.

“We’ve all watched this site deteriorate over the years. It certainly hasn’t got any smarter and I think we’re all just so relieved that something has come in.

“This is a sensitive site, not because of what was there before but because it is on the edge of the settlement and is adjacent to ancient woodland.

“But I think this works well and can only improve a really dreadful site. It’s only the rats that live on the site that I think would object, everyone else will be delighted.”