CONTROVERSIAL plans for a multi-million-pound business and living project will not go ahead despite being approved by planners this week.

Plans for the UK’s first hangar live-and-work business homes and aircraft construction hub at Solent Airport at Daedalus in Lee-on-the-Solent were approved following a one hour debate by Gosport Borough Councillors on Wednesday.

Eight councillors on its Regulatory Board voted to approve the scheme against six.

Cllr Wayne Ronayne described the scheme as “interesting and innovative” and put a motion forward to approve the scheme which was seconded by council leader Mark Hook.

Cllr Dawn Kelly also supported the idea and said that it would be stupid if these plans were thrown out.

However, the landlords of the airfield, Fareham Borough Council have said that the development would “prejudice the council’s vision for Daedalus” and as a result would not allow the project to go ahead.

Council leader Sean Woodward, added: “We are aware that Gosport Borough Council resolved to grant permission for the hangar homes development.

“The council has set out a vision for Solent Airport, investing heavily in airport infrastructure and encouraging aviation growth in general aviation traffic as well as business and corporate travel and some scheduled services.

“Consequently, we anticipate that the area in the vicinity of the control tower will be very active as the vision is delivered.

“Allowing residential development in that location would not only present real safety concerns but would also restrict the Council’s ability to grow the airport operations further and could undermine the overall vision for the airfield.

Under the plans by Hampshire businessman Peter Day, the scheme would include five separate hangars which would be aimed at aviation businesses.

When contacted for comment, Mr Day said: “It is very disappointing that the scheme is not going ahead.

“I completely disagree with the council’s viewpoint, these reasons are not adequate for refusal.”