Draft plans to build up to 100 homes in a “tranquil” corner of a growing East Hampshire village have been approved despite road safety concerns.

Yet more housing is coming to Four Marks as an outline application by Rob Symons to develop a 6.53 hectare plot west of Alton Lane was approved last Thursday by East Hampshire District Council (EHDC).

Some 126 objections were initially submitted with EHDC’s landscape officer also saying it would be “disappointing” to see the tranquil area “being eroded by additional development” before the Bedford Road hearing.

Concerns were also raised about the access point onto Blackberry Lane, potential flooding, the impact of yet more traffic onto the A31 at the Lymington Bottom and Telegraph Lane junctions and the “cumulative impact” of so many “patchwork” developments on infrastructure.

But the scheme was recommended for approval with the EHDC planning committee voting 5-3 in favour to clear the path for a full application.

Paul McAllister of Four Marks Parish Council said EHDC would be responsible “for the inevitable RTAs” if they approved the scheme, while Cllr Roland Richardson cited the need for infrastructure improvements given the village has nearly doubled in size in recent years.

He said: “This site has the benefit of addressing the shortfall in housing numbers but we’ve heard about the cumulative applications in the area.

“Infrastructure in the area hasn’t changed in decades and we have no knowledge of future plans.”

But members also heard that improved footpath links to the village centre and money for Benians Pavilion were among the benefits, with plans also in the pipeline to narrow the A31 at the eastern end of Four Marks.

“This scheme is the result of several years of pre-application engagement and early proposals were much larger with more homes,” said agent, Natalie Fellows.