A CONTROVERSIAL bid to build homes on a golf club has taken a key step forward.

Bloor Homes has submitted a planning application to build up to 1,100 new homes on land at Basingstoke Golf Course.

The scheme has been criticised by ward councillors, fearing it is being rushed through.

The application to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council also includes a bid for consent for community and sport facilities, a play area, green spaces and allotments.

John Lusty, regional managing director for Bloor Homes Southern, said: β€œWe are very pleased to have submitted our outline planning application to Basingstoke and Deane Council for consideration.

"Our proposals provide the opportunity to create a new high-quality sustainable community set in a unique landscape setting and within easy reach of new and planned community, recreational and sports facilities.

"The planning application has been informed by pre-application discussions with planning officers and consultation with the local community and stakeholders, and we would like to thank all those that have been involved to date.

"We intend to continue our engagement with the community as part of the Reserved Matters process moving forward.”

The site has been earmarked for a development of around 1,000 homes in the Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan.

However, the proposal has already come in for criticism with concerns over traffic and the fact a development brief document, known as a supplementary planning document (SPD) has yet to be agreed by the borough council for the site.

Hatch Warren and Beggarwood councillor Terri Reid said: "The application is now in so it is a case of people needing to be aware of that and that they can comment on it. I want people to really engage with it.

"People can also get involved in the SPD as well. I think possibly one of the most important things is to get that engagement.

"It is still my opinion that it is too soon [to submit an application], but it is in now and it is important people have say and influence it while they can.

John Hiscock, managing secretary of the golf club, said: β€œThe submission of the planning application by Bloor Homes represents a major step forward and we look forward to monitoring progress of the plans and continuing to work with Bloor Homes and the project team in the coming months.”

A decision on the outline planning application is expected to be made late this year as the SPD is likely to not be agreed until at least October.

If planning approval is granted, another application will be submitted to set out more detail of the design and layout of the development.