Planning committee chairman, Georgina Busher, used her casting vote to resolve a stalemate over a controversial housing scheme.

She came down in favour of granting permission for 19 homes at Court Road, Kings Worthy, near Winchester - despite fierce opposition from residents.

The planning development and control committee heard that there had been at least five previous applications on the site from Infinity Homes Ltd - all refused for being too dense and out of keeping.

A government inspector's decision after an appeal in February had confirmed that the site was suitable for development, the only objection being about the protection of trees - an issue which had been resolved in the latest application.

Proposed in the scheme were nine two-bedroom homes, five three-bedroom dwellings and five single-room apartments in three-storey blocks, with associated car parking.

Members were told it would be difficult to justify a rejection in the light of the inspector's decision.

Committee chairman, Georgina Busher, said: "I don't think any of us are happy about this but we are in a position that we can't get out of."

Anthony Smith, a resident of Court Road, appealed to the committee: "This is your last chance to stop a development that's as inappropriate now as it was in 2003.

"It's out of keeping. It will ruin the street scene for ever. Allowing this to proceed sets a dangerous precedent."

Mr Smith added that the scheme would see an increase in traffic movements and said he had concerns for road safety in an area where children could be playing.

The council received nine written objections from residents about the plan.

But Paul White, representing Infinity Homes, described the proposal as suitably "landmark" for its location next to London Road - an approach to Kings Worthy.

He said the design, scale and bulk, along with the relationship between parking and houses and access, had been considered acceptable by the government inspector.

By eight votes to seven, the committee granted permission, subject to six of the new homes being "affordable"; agreed financial contributions towards highway improvements and to the public open space fund and the provision of a fence on the London Road boundary.