PLANS to build 20 homes, a football pitch, multi-sports court, changing rooms, BMX course and village green at East Meon have been given the green light by East Hampshire District Council.

The Blackman Trustees development, which will be built next to the village hall in Workhouse Lane, also includes car parking and a woodland glade.

At a meeting of the district councilÕs south planning subcommittee last Thursday, East Meon Parish Council chairman Michael Atkinson said the scheme provided vital facilities for the village.

He told councillors that without the development the Òviability of the village would be threatenedÓ.

Mr Atkinson said the issue of development at the site had dominated council agendas for the last 17 years.

He said: ÒParish forums have been dominated by the proposed development of Kews Field.

ÒNow we have got 100 percent approval from the villagers of East Meon to go ahead with the scheme. This is virtually unprecedented.Ó

Mr Atkinson said the village was in desperate need of the recreational facilities that would be provided as part of the scheme.

He said that after much negotiation the parish council had agreed to the plans for 20 homes on the south side of the village green.

And he praised developer The Blackman Trustees for listening to the views of local residents.

He said: ÒI would urge councillors to support this application. Without it I believe the viability of the village would be threatened.Ó

A spokesperson for The Blackman Trustees said he had been in close consultation with the people of East Meon.

He said: ÒWe have held a public exhibition, met with the village design group, local BMX riders and the local football team.

ÒI have also spoken to all parties that have raised objections. Each of them has since withdrawn their objections.Ó

As part of the planning deal The Blackman Trustees will make a series of financial contributions to the community.

They include £48,000 towards the provision of affordable housing at the corner of Coombe Road and Duncombe Road, £42,000 towards the construction of a fourth classroom at East Meon Primary School and £20,000 for community projects including a footpath from Garston Close to Chapel Street and an improved childrensÕ play area.

The parish council will also be given £30,000 to maintain the facilities built as part of the development.

The development is also good news for East Meon Football Club, which will be able to make use of a full-size football pitch.

New changing rooms are also included in the plans. The teams currently get changed in a derelict animal shed. The lack of adequate changing facilities has previously prevented the team from gaining promotion to higher leagues.

East Meon Parish Council and the RamblersÕ Association have also supported a footpath diversion that would be needed as part of the development.

East Hampshire District Council planning officer Jeremy Heppell said the only issue that councillors needed to consider was whether the construction of houses on the site was premature.

He explained: ÒThe current local plan does not allocate this site for housing but the second review does.

ÒThe issue for this committee is whether this allocation is premature. Would an inspector overturn the proposed allocation site in the local plan second review or alter it?Ó

Members of the committee eventually agreed to support the application. Outstanding issues surrounding traffic and drainage will be agreed by planning officers and local member Philippa Tyrwhitt-Drake.