CONTROVERSIAL plans for homes in a Hampshire village will virtually double its size, an appeal has heard.

A local resident told how the 230 homes proposed by developers would add to the current 280 properties in Butlocks Heath as a public inquiry into the plans got underway.

He was among a number of residents and councillors who pleaded their case to a planning inspector on the opening day.

They raised fears about the site, off Grange Road, including flooding on Woolston Road, traffic problems, access to the site, the effect on the character of the village and the lack of infrastructure such as schools and doctors to cope with these new residents.

Speaking as a resident rather than in his role as a borough councillor, David Airey (pictured), of Rookley, questioned whether doubling homes in Butlocks Heath, close to Netley Abbey, was sustainable.

Another resident Nigel Paterson, of Rookley, raised concerns around the safety of a proposed pedestrian crossing close to what he described as an accident blackspot on the junction of Grange Road and Ingleside.

Netley Abbey borough councillor Lizette van Niekerk said residents understood the need for homes alongside preserving the area’s character.

She said: “This development does not strike that balance as it will physically and visually diminish the gaps and countryside.”

This comes as a planning inspector allowed an appeal for 106 homes at Sovereign Drive, Botley, which was subject to an inquiry back in July and has implications for this case.

A key argument concerns whether council policies preventing building on countryside and in the gaps between communities are still valid without a five-year housing land supply.

The council put forward 11 reasons why it would have refused the plans – 10 have since been overcome leaving the objection to building in countryside and a gap.

Re p r e s e n t a t ive s for Sheet Anchor Properties, which has downsized their plans from 250 to 230, said the impact on the gap between communities was marginal and the proposal should only be refused if harm significantly outweighed the benefits.

Council leader Keith House said sizeable developments had been approved by the council notably 1,100 at Stoneham Park, Eastleigh and 1,400 at Boorley Green, near Botley.

The hearing is expected to last three days.