A CONTROVERSIAL planning application for hundreds of homes in Hampshire which was rejected is back on the cards once more.

The Daily Echo can reveal the scheme to build 350 homes on the south-western edge of Winchester at Vale Farm has been appealed by developer Linden Homes.

The scheme was outrightly thrown out by the Winchester City Council planning committee in July last year.

Planning officers previously said scheme should be refused as it does not fit into local plan policies, and that there are enough designated sites, including Barton Farm (also known as Kings Barton).

The scheme attracted objections from 468 people, and 98 letters of support.

One of those who is clearly against the scheme is Winchester MP Steve Brine who accused the developer of not listening to the views of local residents.

Mr Brine said: "Winchester, unlike Eastleigh, has a signed-off local plan and is more than doing its bit to bring new homes to the area.

“This development would be too much for Winchester and walk all over clearly taken local decisions.

"Cllr Jan Warwick and I have spoken with so many people and we are clear this is not an appropriate application and it's high time Linden Homes starting respecting my constituents. In any scenario, you cannot keep asking the same question until you get the answer you want.”

Also against the scheme is councillor Brian Laming, who said: "I think it would be extremely worrying if it was approved because it goes against Local Plan Part One and Local Plan Part Two.

"Traffic congestion with that stretch of road, it is bad enough as it is.

"If you look at the number of traffic lights there are from there to Kings' School it would be ridiculous, and also the traffic coming up from Badger Farm Road would be bad."

The developer previously argued that their plans would be a huge boost for the local economy and would create 525 construction jobs.

One of the supporters was Winchester councillor Ian Tait.

Cllr Tait said: "I understand why people have concerns about development because that is a natural reaction.

But we have got to balance the challenge of protecting open land with the need to deliver high quality schemes.

"Linden Homes are an excellent deliverer they create good homes and develop good communities, I voted for it because it had the potential to deliver a high quality development and balanced the needs of the wider community with the requirement to deliver housing numbers."