PLANNING chiefs are studying a proposal to build 35 homes on a rural site on the edge of a Hampshire town.

LandQuest UK (Southern) Ltd has submitted an application to redevelop a plot of land currently occupied by Oxlease House at Cupernham Lane, Romsey.

Romsey and District Society has lodged an objection to the scheme, claiming it would result in the loss of trees and the potential loss of habitat for bats and newts.

In a letter to Test Valley Borough Council it says: "The site is within an area still designated as countryside in the Revised Local Plan.

"It would bring about the loss of a final green corridor/ecological network link between Abbotswood and Fishlake Meadows.

"Approximately one quarter of all the trees on the site are to be removed. Replacement trees are mostly to be planted within the residential curtilages and will therefore be liable to pruning and/or felling by homeowners."

Romsey Extra Parish Council has also lodged an objection, describing the proposed development as too dense and out of keeping.

But a design and access statement that forms part of the application says Oxlease House is surrounded by sites where homes have already been built or are due to be constructed.

It adds: "The proposed dwellings are laid out in a spacious manner.

"A number of trees are proposed for removal to facilitate the proposed development but trees around the perimeter of the site would be retained, in addition to a large group of trees at the front of the site. Extensive new tree planting is also proposed."

The scheme is outlined in a Public Notice published by Test Valley Borough Council, which will decide the application.

Other Public Notices:

Southampton City Council is closing Mountbatten Way between its junctions with West Quay Road and Southern Road from October 13 (10pm-6am) to allow work involving a crane. The works are due to be completed by October 15.

Southampton City Council is closing the whole of Midanbury Crescent from October 14 (8am-4pm) for road maintenance works. There is no alternative route. The works are due to be completed by October 15.

Southampton City Council is closing Holcroft Road between its junctions with Kingsbourne Way and Vaughan Close from October 13 (8am-4pm) for road maintenance work. The scheme is due to be completed by October 14.

Suttons Tankers Limited of Gorsey Lane, Widnes, is applying to change an existing licence and keep an extra goods vehicle and trailer at an operating centre at MC Truck and Bus Ltd, Test Lane, Nursling.

Hoyer Petrolog UK Ltd, of Leeds Road, Huddersfield, is applying for a licence to use Calor Gas, Cadland Road, Hythe, an operating centre for two trailers.

Apollo Motor Group (Southampton), of Unit 5, Watercombe Business Park, Lynx Trading Estate, Yeovil, Somerset, is applying for permission to use Unit H, Griffin Industrial Estate, Brunel Road, Totton, as an operating centre for one goods vehicle.

Justin Wright is applying to permission to add an operating centre to keep two goods vehicles at Utili-Light Ltd, of Unit 4 Riverside Industrial Park, Coneger Road, Eastleigh.

Gordon Webster, trading as Hedge End Mini Diggers, of Grantham Road, Southampton, is applying for a licence to use Yard 4, Seddul BA HR, Allington Lane, West End, Southampton, as an operating centre for one goods vehicle.

Julian Williams, trading as JC Meats of Vincents Grove, Shirley, is applying for a licence to use West Horton Farm, West Horton Lane, Bishopstoke, as an operating centre for one goods vehicle.