The owner of land earmarked for an access road to a proposed 100-house estate in Four Marks could have a crucial say in whether it goes ahead.

Cresland Ltd wants to build south-east of 33 Blackberry Lane - but the owner of number 33 also owns a gap between houses where its road would go.

An objector to the scheme said: “The strip of land proposed for the vehicle access is owned by my neighbour and to my knowledge he has no intention to sell it.

“This is reflected in the proposal, as it does note that the issue of vehicle access has yet to be resolved.”

Thirty-eight members of the public objected to the outline planning application, with three in favour and one neutral.

No date has been set for the application - reference 50216/002 - to go before East Hampshire District Council’s planning committee. The site is also known as land west of Millfield in Alton Lane.

Geoffrey Levy spoke against the plan on behalf of other residents, calling it a “high-density suburban estate” on farmland outside the village settlement boundary which would “irreparably damage the character and safety of Four Marks”.

He said it would send 125 vehicles per day through three “already hazardous” junctions to the A31 while setting a precedent for “settlement creep” transforming Four Marks from a village into a town.

The density of 9.1 houses per acre would be more than eight times higher than the prevailing pattern in the village and greater than many outer London suburbs.

Mr Levy added: “Four Marks is valued for its countryside setting, its dark skies and its sense of community. This proposal would destroy that by forcing a high-density suburban estate on to village farmland.

“The harm far outweighs any supposed benefits. We urge East Hampshire District Council to refuse application 50216/002 in its entirety.”