CONTROVERSIAL plans for an office building and workshop in Chawton were given the go ahead despite objections from the South Downs National Park Authority.

Applicant Southern Demolition Co Ltd sought to replace existing buildings on the triangle of land between Wolf’s Lane and the A339 with a workshop, office area, mess room, storage and welfare facilities.

But both Chawton Parish Council and the South Downs National Park Authority objected to the “industrial” nature of the application.

The park authority said it was “concerned that the proposed use and nature of the activities would intensify and threaten to alter the low key rural character of the site”. In a statement the parish council explained the previous occupier, Warren Signs, “operated for many years with no serious adverse impact on the

community”. However, this was with “light industrial” use, known as B1, seen as appropriate in residential areas, whereas the latest application was seeking permission for “general industrial” use, known as B2.

Speaking at the December 10 East Hampshire District Council planning meeting, Malcolm Williamson from Chawton Parish Council said if given the go ahead it would be the “first B2 use in or abutting” the village and would be better suited on an “industrial estate”.

Applicant Paul Hunt told councillors the company was a “third generation family business” and felt the new buildings were “more suitable” than existing infrastructure.

He said the company would retain screening and keep most plant machinery “out on site”, not at Wolf’s Lane.

Cllr Anthony Williams acknowledged there had been a fear the application was a “Trojan horse” which could pave the way for further industrial activity at the site.

However, with strict conditions, if the site was used “as proposed” concerns were a “storm in a tea cup”.

Councillors voted ten to two in favour of granting permission.