Planners have approved a scheme for three new houses to replace farm buildings near a Hampshire village, despite local concerns.

Developer Osman Homes applied to demolish buildings at Glebe Farm, in Salisbury Road, Sherfield English, and replace them with three houses.

The proposal was controversial because the location had already been granted a Class Q scheme to convert the four buildings into five houses. Therefore, had the application been refused, the applicant would have had a fallback position. 

Despite the plans including development in the countryside, Test Valley Borough Council planning officers recommended it for permission due to the fallback position.

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The southern area planning committee permitted the plan on Tuesday July 4. 

In the committee's report, it said: “The proposed scheme would represent a departure from the development plan with respect to development in the countryside. It is however considered that the fallback position to implement the Class Q scheme is a real prospect that carries significant weight in favour of the current proposal. Additionally, the proposed scheme would not have any significant or detrimental impacts over and above the effect of complying with the extant Class Q scheme. 

“Additionally, the proposal is considered to represent an improvement to the setting of the Listed Building, improvements in design and the landscape improvements to be secured via condition, and would assist in delivering against the council’s housing requirement. It is considered that the proposal justifies the departure from the development plan in this instance.”

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Ursula Gooding, of Doctors Hill, Sherfield English, objected. She said: “This is in a countryside location and would be very unlikely to get permission. It's using the back door route of a Class Q conversion. The Class Q conversion would keep the existing buildings and would be an innovative solution without impacting the landscape. In Sherfield English, we need smaller units of accommodation, not large houses.”

Dan Roycroft, the applicant's agent, said: “The new houses are well-designed and appropriate for the area. It will be an improvement of the Class Q scheme. It will be positive for the location. Our view is that the new plan would be more beneficial. Planning officers have said that it will be a significant improvement of the Class Q scheme.”

Cllr Sandra Gidley said: “This is very frustrating as it uses a loophole for something that wouldn't otherwise be allowed. I do have sympathy for the residents. But I can find no reason to refuse this. It will be an improvement to the Class Q.”

Cllr Alan Dowden said: “We have to stay within the law, our hands are tied. I can't see any reason for refusal.”

The planning committee voted to permit the scheme unanimously.