Councillors have backed a homeowner's controversial plans to build new pillars and a gate outside his home.

Test Valley Borough Council's Southern Area Planning Committee decided to grant Mark Perress's application for replacement driveway gates and brick pillars at a two-storey detached house in Oxlease Meadows, Romsey.

Oxlease Meadows, Romsey (Image: Google) Although permission was finally granted, the vote was far from unanimous with Cllrs Sandra Gidley and Dr Alan Warnes objecting and Cllr Celia Dowden abstaining.

Mr Peress, addressing the meeting, said: "Let's really concentrate on the reasons why I really want to do it: Security.

"It's a sad fact that Romsey has experienced a major number of crimes in the last few years, which involves thefts, burglaries, vehicle crimes - Oxlease has been a major target."

The application had been redesigned following complaints that it was out of keeping with the rest of the estate.

Key concerns from objectors referred to closing off the line-of-sight in the open plan area and the height of the gates, which would average two metres but rise to two-point-two metres at their centre.

Jerry Vaughan, a neighbour, said: "If approved, it would set an unwanted precedent for the future, affecting all residents."

Planning officers noted there were other instances of brick pillars, fences and gates across the wider estate, if not in the section in question.

Supporting the application, Cllr John Parker said: "It's very difficult because whilst this particular cul-de-sac has a particular style [...] the estate itself is peppered with brick walls and gates in other places, so it's really balancing something that's acceptable in most of the cul-de-sac with what might not be acceptable in this particular cul-de-sac.

"I think though, on balance, I would find it very difficult to come up with good, supportable reasons for refusal were we to refuse it."

Objecting to the plans, Cllr Celia Dowden said: "That particular view just happens to be, because of its position on that bend, very symmetrical and very open and [...] I think it would actually look odd."

She was sympathetic to concerns surrounding the visual balance of the area, said it "would completely change the street scene".