PLANS to build nearly 30 homes on a tyre dump near Romsey could be given the green light next week.

A planning application was submitted to Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) to put the brakes on the old sawmill site on the A3057, at Ashfield, and build 29 homes instead.

If approved by TVBC's Southern Area Planning Committee on Tuesday, Country Homes Guildford, could build a mix of one, two and four bed homes and 63 car parking spaces.

Now a Romsey councillor has criticised the plans, fearing the homes will cause increased congestion.

However, the applicant, Country Homes Guildford, has insisted the development will "provide a small cluster of new homes on a brownfield site, close to Romsey and North Baddesley". 

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She said: "I am totally against it because of where it is in the countryside, which I don't think is a good spot for it because of the amount of traffic that is on that road.

"It is going to be a disaster because there will be traffic from the 300 houses in Hoe Lane [North Baddesley] and from the homes in the Whitenap development [south of Romsey].

"What seems to be happening is the size of a small village is being built between Romsey and Southampton and what hasn't been thought about is how many cars will use that road to get to the M27."

Hampshire Chronicle: Cllr Dorothy Baverstock Cllr Dorothy Baverstock

However, Ms Baverstock added: "I am really pleased they are removing the tyres because if anybody set them on fire the tyres would have burnt for weeks."

A document from a walking club, the Romsey Ramblers, expressed their support for the plans, which reads: "When this application was first made last year Romsey Ramblers welcomed the disposal of the tyre dump, an unsightly, dangerous place highly viewable from the road.

"In the event of a, very possible fire, smoke would be emitted into the surrounding area."

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A document submitted on behalf of Country Homes Guildford to TVBC reads: "The recycling company and leaseholder of the site has ceased its operations at the depot.

"This follows the company’s recorded trading losses and has resulted in the money paid to it to handle the waste tyres no longer being available."

The added the site being redeveloped will "provide a small cluster of new homes on a brownfield site, close to Romsey and North Baddesley".

The site would also be near "existing nearby homes and businesses that front the A3057", according to the applicant.

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As reported, the company who were clearing the mountain of tyres, Pure 8, vacated the premises after running into financial difficulties.