A NEW chapter of a long-running planning saga has begun in Swanmore.

Tom Francis first sought permission to build 27 new homes at Belmont Farm, The Lakes in 2018.

This application was withdrawn and last year, plans for 32 dwellings were submitted. Following 15 objections from local residents, the scheme was refused by Winchester City Council.

Now, Mr Francis has appealed the decision to the Planning Inspectorate – meaning he could be granted permission.

The city council's housing team opposed the plans due to a lack affordable housing.

A statement from them said: "It should be noted that this is application is part of an area which has been allocated in the Winchester Local plan and as such it is expected that all the policies set out in the plan should be adhered to including the ones on affordable housing which receives a very high priority in that plan.

"Affordable housing on this site would be made available for all 1,364 households that were in housing need and on the Winchester part of the Hampshire Home Choice register at the end of March 2020 and would not be limited to those with a connection to Swanmore.

"It is recognised that the Winchester District is large and that households are reluctant to move to an area away from that where they have been residing. It is still noted that there are 73 households on the register and in housing need that would like to live close to Bishop's Waltham.

"These households could be assisted by some affordable housing at Belmont Farm."

It is unknown when the Inspectorate, a Government agency, will make a decision.

In his objection, David Meyers of Chapel Road, Swanmore, said: "I am struggling to see how this fits within the Swanmore village plan where we have been consulted. Has the potential to cause further accidents on Hill Pound Road which is still adjusting to the recent housing David Wilson Homes development and Vivid homes have recently increased.

"It appears not to address traffic flow from a very small access lane, in keeping with other developments nor quantity of traffic these and other developments are creating in what is a village.

"Children often walk down Hill Pound to school where the pavements are not well maintained and the increased traffic increases the risk of further accidents as cars exit from the prior developments is less than 100 yards away.

"The lane is frequently used by walkers which is very narrow and doesn't allow for passing will be restricted and the housing plan does not address social housing but more about the developers plan to make money on more desirable properties.

"More importantly is that the application was put up in the very small gravel track, removed within a few days in what appears to be an attempt to hide the application from local residents.

"This is evidenced by there being only three objection comments attached to the application and looks like a back door application. Lastly I believe this sets a precedent for the whole of the Lakes to be developed from Hill Pound to Swanmore College in what I understand is a flood plain which in turn attracts even more development to an over populated village where the amenities already cannot cope.

"If we are to have a plan we need to stick to it."