A HOUSING plan for a Hampshire greenfield site that sparked more than 100 objections from residents has been approved.

Plans for 80 homes in Loperwood Lane in Totton have been given the go-ahead.

Earlier this year, New Forest District Council abandoned their attempt to fight the scheme when it went to a planning inquiry.

Now applicants Howard Sharp and Partners have seen their appeal accepted.

It means that the plans to build the homes can go ahead, although no date has been set for the work to start.

The council decided to offer no evidence at the inquiry following warnings it was likely to lose the appeal, potentially costing taxpayers £50,000.

Town hall bosses backed down after receiving new legal advice issued in the wake of the government’s pledge to tackle the nation’s housing shortage.

Following the plans being given the go-ahead, developers have praised the decision to bring ‘affordable, quality homes’ into the Forest.

Planning agent Dr Robert Wickham said: “It’s great that the decision has now been made to bring affordable, quality homes into this area of the New Forest.

“It’s been a long time coming, but I’m sure we can provide housing that is highly appealing.”

The successful appeal has come attached with a warning by civic chiefs, with ward councillor Neville Penman voicing his disappointment earlier this year at the authority’s decision not to offer inquiry evidence.

Fellow Totton councillor David Harrison said: “I think the most significant aspect of the decision is that it might open the floodgates for other developers to apply for permission on similar greenfield sites.

“I don’t think these 80 homes are going to have a significant impact on the infrastructure, although it will have some.“I would stress that with more houses being built, which is a good thing, they need to be planned out. It’s good that we are providing some progress with more homes in the Forest.”

Campaigners say the new homes would see too much traffic use the road, which sits parallel to the A326.

Kerie Wallace, of Calmore Cottage, had previously said: “Local services are already overstretched and there are no school places available for the children of families who will live there.”

One resident also said: “The development itself will be a nightmare, and that’s at least another 100 cars using the road.”