29/4/2008

Local News in Fleet

Village ‘estate’ is rejected

Campaigners are celebrating the refusal of controversial plans to build a small housing estate in the centre of an historic town.

Developer Bewley Homes wanted to demolish 19th century Myrtle Cottage in King Street, Odiham, and build either nine or 23 new homes on land behind Marycourt in the historic High Street.

Hart District Council threw out both applications for the site but Bewley Homes appealed. The issue was thras-hed out before government-appointed planning inspector Mike Moore during a six-day public inquiry held at Hart District Council’s Fleet headquarters last month.

Mr Moore has now dismissed both schemes.

He said the main issues were the effect of the proposals on the Odiham Conservation Area and whether they would preserve or enhance its character or appearance.

He also considered the effect of the proposed development on highway safety and the free flow of traffic on King Street, whether the site is accessible by means other than the car, and the effect on the living conditions of nearby residents in terms of possible noise and disturbance.

In his ruling, Mr Moore said Myrtle Cottage is an “attractive” building in its own right, plays an important role in the street scene of King Street and makes a positive contribution to the conser-vation area.

He was concerned about the construction of a mini roundabout at the junction of Church Street and King Street to access the proposed development. He warned it would be a “significant engineering feature” in the street scene bringing with it the need for some additional signage, road markings and lighting.

Mr Moore’s report adds: “I consider that in this location it would be an alien feature, harmful to the character and appearance of the conser-vation area.”

The 23-home scheme would include a mix of two, three and four-bedroom detached and semi-detached homes and short terraces.

Mr Moore thought the proposed development could be accommodated on the site satisfactorily. However, he said the second scheme comprising a pair of semi-detached houses and seven “substantial” detached homes would result in a suburban appearance out of keeping with the character of the conservation area.

Mr Moore said he was satisfied the first scheme could deliver 40% affordable housing but the second scheme could not and as a result it was contrary to policies in Hart District Council’s local plan development blueprint.

Odiham Parish Council opposed the applications, warning that demolishing Myrtle Cottage would neither enhance nor preserve the conservation area.

The Odiham Society also objected, pointing out that King Street is already a narrow and busy road without pavements and to add yet more traffic would be “wholly unacceptable”.

Hart District Council received 51 letters from residents objecting to the proposed scheme.

They warned that Myrtle Cottage is an integral part of King Street and its demolition would ruin a key view.

Among those who objected to the scheme was Malcolm Crockford, who lives in Farnham but is a frequent visitor to Odiham. He called the demolition of Myrtle Cottage “architectural vandalism”.

But Hook-based chartered town planners Bell Cornwell, acting as agents for Bewley Homes, said its client’s proposal was entirely acceptable when judged against relevant planning policies.

A report by Tree Management Consulting added that the most prominent and important trees on the site would be retained, while proposed new planting would more than compensate for the poor quality trees to be removed.

A report by Odiham-based highway consultants Bellamy Roberts said the proposed access would allow for the development of family housing on a sustainable site in the heart of the town.

Helen Fleming, chairman of Odiham Parish Council’s planning committee, was delighted with the decisions.

She said: “Odiham Parish Council is proud to have been part of the team that was instrumental in having the Myrtle Cottage appeals dismissed some five days earlier than expected.

“A lot of good work was done by Hart District Council and equally Odiham Parish Council put a lot of effort into supporting Hart’s case.”

Cllr Fleming thanked the numerous residents who wrote to Hart and the planning inspectorate, attended meet-ings and put their case to the planning inspector.

“They showed great stoicism during the six day inquiry and all helped win the case,” she added. “It clearly indicates that we care about our village.

“Arguments were well put by both sides and neither side won all of them. The details of the decision will no doubt be studied very carefully and lessons learned.”

First printed in: Fleet News and Mail