The full planning application to build 99 houses on land north-west of Ackender Wood in Alton was approved unanimously by East Hampshire District Council’s planning committee on January 22.

Outline planning permission, which established the principle of development, had already been given to Croudace Homes for the 20-acre greenfield site at Basingstoke Road on the western outskirts of the town.

During the public speaking section of the debate, Mrs Chris Chappell of Cycle Alton called for the creation of safe and suitable cycling routes to link the new estate to the existing town.

Cllr Graham Webb, representing Beech Parish Council, said Beech Parish Council continued to object to the development because it “breaks the policy of preventing the coalescence of Beech with Alton”.