PROPOSALS to build four houses on former gardens in Medstead will be discussed by East Hampshire District Council’s planning committee tonight (Thursday) at 6pm.

The application by the William Lacey Group is for land behind 2-4 Willowfield in Watercress Way and council planning officers have recommended that it be granted permission.

But the scheme represents a departure from the council’s development plan, as the square half-acre site lies outside a settlement policy boundary, so it must be referred to the planning committee for determination.

The proposed houses would be accessed from Holland Drive by a single width access road located opposite 16-18 Holland Drive. Protected trees would be kept.

Four Marks Parish Council objects strongly, saying the area is outside the settlement policy boundary, East Hampshire District Council has more than a five-year housing land supply so there is no need for the homes, and the loss of a “substantial” number of trees goes against climate change mitigation policies.

Medstead Parish Council objects strongly, as the site is outside the settlement policy boundary. Of 91 public comments, 89 raised an objection and two were in support. Nick Stenning of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group will speak on behalf of residents, and Charles Clark will speak on behalf of Medstead Parish Council.