A DECADE-long planning battle has been resolved by civic chiefs who approved plans to revamp an area of land in Nursling.

Test Valley Borough Council's (TVBC) planning committee met on Tuesday (August 27) to discuss the plans for Yew Tree Farm, in Yewtree Lane, which aim to finally attract occupiers to the site, that was first earmarked in 2009.

The plans were granted permission by a unanimous vote.

The proposal seeks to change the use of the land near Adanac Park, which was given permission for office use in 2016, to use for offices, research and development, and non-residential institutions.

According to a planning statement submitted with the application, the new owner, Oceanic Estates, “is keen to fully implement the scheme, however to do so they need to attract occupiers and to date none have been identified”.

It added: “We have made this change of use application, therefore, to request a variation to the approved use class... due to an increase in the market demand from companies requiring buildings and floorspace that can accommodate research and development and medical uses, which often require an a proportion of office use, but require the flexibility of a shell fit out.

"We believe that having this flexibility will help attract high‐tech and medical use occupiers to the Yew Tree Farm/ Adanac Park development, which will enable the development to be fully realised."

Cllr Celia Dowden, who represents North Baddesley on the borough council, said: "There was some concern about car parking, but it was not brought up by ward members. There was no contention with it and it has been hanging around for a long time."

As previously reported in the Romsey Advertiser, the scheme has received an objection from Nursling and Rownhams Parish Council.

Council clerk Bill Ashdown said in a letter to planners: "The parish council particularly object to the change of use to non-residential institutions because the previous successful application for this site included plans for circa 95 car parking spaces.

"On the form for this application the applicant has answered no to the question is vehicle parking relevant to this application form. No different plans in relation to car parking have been submitted."

the site was first given planning permission for offices in 2009, but applications had to be resubmitted due to the lack of building work.

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