Controversial plans for 43 homes on the former Scats depot at Micheldever Station have been given the go-ahead.

The 1.15-hectare (4-acre) site is owned by Berkeley Homes and based next to the railway line to the west of Overton Road.

It will now be used to build 10 four-bedroom, eight three-bedroom, 21 two-bed-room and four one-bedroom houses and flats, 30 per cent of which will be affordable housing.

Micheldever Parish Council had objected to the plans on the grounds that the affordable housing should be spread across the development and that the design was distinctly different from the surrounding buildings.

Mr Barlow, of New Road, Micheldever Station, said he was concerned about the density of houses proposed for the site. "I am not opposing the redevelopment of the site as such, but would much appreciate the issues and concerns raised being addressed," he added.

Conservative planning committee members agreed. Frank Pearson said: "You don't put three-storey buildings in a rural area. It does not fit."

Barry Lipscomb added: "There is a lot of concern at the moment about the speed of vehicles on Overton Road, which is quite a long straight road entering the left of the site. I think it is absolutely inappropriate to have that sort of building in the countryside."

Cllr Thrse Evans said that the design of the scheme was what the council planning officers had pointed the developers towards and she didn't have a problem with it.