ALTON and District Residents Association (ADRA) is urging people to turn out in force for a public hearing into an appeal against East Hampshire District Council’s (EHDC) decision to refuse permission for the development of 97 new homes on a site south west of Old Odiham Road, Alton.

The application, by land owner David Meisels, was thrown out by East Hampshire planners on December 8 last year in a bid to safeguard one of the town’s idyllic panoramic views across to the Selborne Hangers.

Working on behalf of Mr Meisels, London-based agents John Thompson and Partners have appealed against the decision which is to be determined by the Government Planning Inspectorate at a public hearing, to take place on Thursday, September 10, starting at 10am at Alton Assembly Rooms.

This application was the first major development proposal to come forward on a greenfield site identified in EHDC’s Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA), and put forward to address the 700 homes requirement for Alton under EHDC’s new Joint Core Strategy (Local Plan).

Located on a 2.28ha hillside site, on the northern fringe of the Alton settlement policy boundary, above and adjacent to housing on Southview Rise, with access on to the Old Odiham Road, the application is for a mix of one- and two-bedroom flats and apartments and three- and four-bedroom houses, with a 30 per cent affordable element for rent.

But it has attracted strong local objection, highlighting in particular the impact of surface water run-off from the site which has historically caused flooding in the surrounding area, impact on local infrastructure and services, and of additional traffic on to an already busy road network.

Alton Town Council (ATC) objected on grounds that the development would breach the skyline, contravening one of the key areas of protection as set down in the Town Design Statement.

ATC also felt the application to be premature, and had asked for deferral pending the outcome of the town Transport Survey, Alton’s emerging Neighbourhood Plan, and investigations currently underway by Thames Water and South East Water into sewage and water supply requirements of the town to cope with current and future demand.

The developer had also asked for the application to be deferred, but EHDC planners were unanimous in recording their objection on grounds that the proposed development would have a detrimental visual impact on the surrounding area, and would represent an unacceptable intrusion into the countryside, beyond the settlement policy boundary.

Furthermore, it was felt that adequate vehicular access could not be achieved without the loss of trees and hedgerows which would cause significant harm to the rural location of this section of the Old Odiham Road.

Pointing out that the appeal will “fly in the face of the government’s expressed wish that local authorities should take charge of and make local planning decision”, ADRA chairman and long-time local resident John Grace, is urging local people to attend the public hearing and to have their say.