Colden Common councillor Sue Cook 'branded a traitor' by opponents of Church Lane housing scheme

Cllr Sue Cook, who represents Colden Common on Winchester City Council, said her support for 21 houses on a local field had led to the accusation in an email.

Feelings are running high in the village, which has to find space for 250 homes over the next 20 years.

Developer Bloombridge applied for the houses off Church Lane, eight of which would be affordable. Thirty one households sent letters of objections and nine were sent in support.

Cllr Cook told the planning committee: "The email said I was planning to 'turn traitor' and support the developer... I am not a traitor."

The committee heard that the proposal was unnecessary as the already-approved in outline scheme for 165 homes on the former Sandyfields Nurseries site, and Clayfield Park will meet local housing needs. These two sites will be examined in the public inquiry into the Local Plan starting on July 19.

Recent years has seen several developers vying and lobbying for support. Three other schemes, rejected by planners, are due for appeal, the committee heard.

Villagers have been involved in the process consulting over their preferred sites, which have been Sandyfields and Clayfield Park.

Cllr Richard Izard said: "The applicant has tried to discredit the process, saying there was bias and alleged fixing against his site in Church Lane."

Planning officer Simon Avery said: "It is housing in the countryside for which there is no justification and would have an adverse impact on the character of the landscape."

Objector Barbara Kelly, of Church Lane, said: "We don't need it because the village has satisfied the obligation for 250 houses. It would be on greenfield and outside the settlement boundary."

Debbie Harding, of Colden Common Parish Council, said: "It (21 houses) are clearly intended as the first part of a larger development."

Ms Harding said the parish council had been accused of being biased against the scheme. "The council refutes any such claim.We have followed due process and have been objective."

Richard Cutler, for Bloombridge, doubted Sandyfields would provide the 165 homes expected, opening the way for his scheme.

Bloombridge was offering land as "fantastic" public open space to the south of the development.

Work on Sandyfields is due to start in July 2017 with the first homes to be handed over in July 2018, Cllr Richard Izard told the committee.

Cllr Therese Evans said she could not support the Bloombridge scheme: "We have had a process, drawn up a plan and now we are only weeks away from the public inquiry. It would open the floodgates at other sites in Colden Common and across the district."

The committee voted against the Church Lane plan by seven to one.