A SCHEME for almost 170 homes in a Hampshire village has been approved.

The plan by Foreman Homes for 165 homes at a brownfield site at Sandyfields Nurseries in Colden Common has been in the pipeline for two years.

Now planning chiefs at Winchester City Council have rubber-stamped the proposals for the Main Road site, which forms part of their local plan.

There were 19 letters of support for the plans and 27 of objection.

Supporters included Ian Taylor, who said: “The site can accommodate 165 of the 250 new homes target for the next 20 years.

“This will safeguard other local greenfield sites, which are also outside the village boundary and have been the target for developers for the past four years.”

Vice-chair of Colden Common Parish Council, Maggie Hill, says the plan was the most popular out of all the sites earmarked for housing in the village.

Cllr Hill said: “It is a very good thing, what the village wanted. The majority of people consulted said it was what they wanted.

“We worked very closely with the city council in identifying suitable sites and after consultation with the residents it was the clear favourite, and also from the city council’s point of view it was brownfield.

“It was a good deal all round.”

While city councillor for Colden Common and Twyford Susan Cook also spoke positively about the plans. She said: “We are more than happy with this, it has dragged on for some time.

“I am really happy for the area because there is going to be affordable housing. My only concern is making sure that the landscaping is right.”

Those against the scheme had argued it was too far away from the local shops and school, and others said it would “overstretch” the existing infrastructure in the village.

The application’s approval follows the withdrawal of an appeal for 90 homes in nearby Otterbourne.

A public inquiry date into Gladman Developments’ scheme was set for August 1, but developers withdrew their appeal last week after hundreds of campaigners rallied against the scheme.

Meanwhile, a controversial development by Linden Homes at Vale Farm for 350 homes will go to appeal in the autumn.