A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build almost 700 new new homes on a green field site in Hampshire will go ahead following intervention from a government minister.

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid's decision to allow 680 houses to be built at Boorley Green near Botley "wipes out more than 30 years of planning policy" aimed at preserving green gaps between villages, claim councillors.

Mr Javid gave the green light for the scheme from developers Gleeson Homes, Miller Homes and Welbeck after deciding Eastleigh Borough Council did not have an up-to-date local plan or a five-year housing land supply.

The Local Plan 2011-2036 is currently still being developed after the borough council's last effort was thrown out by a government inspector in 2014.

The secretary of state's decision was made despite Eastleigh MP Mims Davies' urging that the application be rejected as it would lead to the loss of farmland, put extra strain on local roads local roads, and destroy a gap between settlements.

Speaking after the decision had been made, she said: “This decision is a real blow to people in Boorley Green and Botley.

"Reading the reasons why the appeal was allowed, I was dismayed to read that Eastleigh Borough Council’s failure to produce an acceptable Local Plan had contributed to the decision.

“The council needs to act now to produce a Local Plan to stop these kind of developments being built and it needs to come up with the five-year land supply for housing that it is legally required to.

“If the council does this, it will stop developers riding roughshod over Eastleigh with hostile development like this one, which threaten our borough with more traffic congestion, longer waiting times at doctors’ surgeries and the permanent loss of our countryside.”

"Meanwhile I urge Botley residents to get behind the parish council who are working on a vital Neighbourhood Plan for the area which will in give residents a clear voice in the future of the village in the absence of a well supported Local Plan." 

An Eastleigh council spokesperson declined to comment on whether a lack of a local plan may have contributed to the Secretary of State's decision, but pointed out that the issue had not been a factor in a recent decision by Mr Javid to uphold Eastleigh Council's refusal of a similar development in Hamble.

Council leader Keith House said: "This devastating decision by the secretary of state wipes out more than 30 years of planning policy protection given to stopping villages merging onto urban sprawl.

"It's pretty clear the secretary of state has not visited Boorley Green or Hedge End and understood the issues let alone listened to local residents.

"Sadly the MP also failed to speak up for residents at this planning Appeal.”

He added: “This demonstrates why planning decisions should be taken locally, and why London politicians should support them.

"Eastleigh Borough Council is determined to meet housing need but on the right sites. 

"The last greenfields between Boorley Green and Grange Park deserved protection from development."

The council first received a planning application for up to 680 houses for retail, community and healthcare use in 2015, but Hedge End, West End and Botley Local Area Committee resolved to refuse the application.

The applicants submitted an appeal in May 2016, where the Council defended its position to refuse the application, on land between Winchester Road and Hedge End railway station, which inlcudes new primary school and a shopping precinct.

The secretary of state's decision has allowed the appeal and planning permission has therefore been granted. 

Chairman of Botley Parish Council Colin Mercer said: "It's very disappointing.

"Despite the council's and our strong opposition they seem to be getting these houses by stealth without providing any infrastructure. 

"Existing residents are entitled to have some enjoyment of the place they live in - we must have a viable and sustainable plan for the area."

Vice chairman of Botley Parish Council, Graham Hunter added: "It will cause the coalescence of the communities of Hedge End and Boorley Green, and will put an immense strain on local infrastructure and services."