THE industrial scale development of a Meon Valley meadow is still angering local residents – despite legal proceedings being settled.

Winchester City Council refused an application for retrospective permission for the site access works at Dradfield Lane, Soberton.

Discussions are on-going with the site owner Nick Butler to find an acceptable solution, more fitting with a countryside location.

But local resident Angus McCullough says that work is ongoing.

In a letter to the city council he wrote: "There then there have been multiple deliveries of very large quantities of building materials, and an extended hardstanding or road running down the centre of the site is being laid.

"Work laying the rubble to create a wide strip down the centre of the field is continuing, including over this weekend with a digger and dumper truck in constant operation.

"I believe that I am not the only local resident to have brought these continuing works to the council’s attention. As far as I am aware: no enforcement action has been taken in relation to the enlarged gateway, since the owner’s appeal against the refusal of retrospective planning permission was dismissed. That enlarged entrance continues to be used for deliveries of lorry loads of building materials."

Mr Butler also appealed against an enforcement notice issued by the council in relation to the alleged unauthorised use of the land for the storage of non-agricultural mobile units.

The Planning Inspectorate decided to allow this appeal and to overturn the enforcement notice as it considered that the alleged unauthorised use of the land had not taken place.

Mr McCullough said on the matter: "No action has been taken to follow up the Inspector’s observation that the containers on the site, even if having an agricultural purpose, may constitute a breach of planning control.

"No action has been taken, whether by a site visit or otherwise, in relation to the reports to the council of continuing, apparently non-permitted development that has redoubled in activity since the Inspector’s decisions."

Winchester City Council were asked to explain what officers are planning.

"Winchester City Council refused an application for planning permission for the site access works at Dradfield Lane, Soberton," said a spokesperson. "An appeal against this refusal by the site owner has been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.

"Discussions are on-going with the site owner towards finding an acceptable solution for the site entrance more fitting with a countryside location.

"“The site owner also appealed against an enforcement notice issued by the council in relation to the alleged unauthorised use of the land for the storage of non-agricultural mobile units. The Planning Inspectorate decided to allow this appeal and to overturn the enforcement notice as it considered that the alleged unauthorised use of the land had not taken place."