AN APPLICATION for nearly 30 homes has been approved on an old waste tyre dump on the outskirts of Romsey.

At the Test Valley Borough Council Southern Area Planning Committee on Tuesday, January 14, councillors voted in favour of the proposal for 29 new homes at Pure 8 Tyre Tech Limited, Ashfield Sawmill, Southampton Road.

Councillor John Parker abstained as the rest of the council approved the application by Mr Tom Francis for reserved matters, including the layout, scale and appearance of the 29 homes.

The application also sought the discharge of conditions on the outline consent relating to contamination and a Construction and Environmental Management Plan.

 matters'

Plans for the site on Southampton Road (Image: ACLA Limited) Councillor Parker said: "This site has been a site of concern for me for many years [...] I'm relieved to see the [tyres] gone. In an ideal world though, were it not for the fact of planning gain by getting rid of the tyres, we would not want to see a development, an isolated development, in the countryside - where it is.

"Having said that, it is what it is and it has outline permission so, the question really is, is the detail something that's appropriate?

"I must admit I am not at all happy with the design of the properties, I think they are out of keeping with the isolated rural area."

The councillor continued: "My only concern, really, is that I do not like the designs. Whether that's strong enough reason to object to this planning application, I'm not sure."

Cllr Alan Dowden disagreed. He said: "I don't see a problem with the design for it, quite frankly. In fact, I think they've been pretty well thought-out, quite frankly."

As well as design queries, there were questions regarding whether affordable homes would be included in the development.

Mr Francis said this was unlikely due to the cost of removing the tyres and build cost. He said: "We would need a huge uplift in the property market or a huge downlift in cost of building for that to happen."

There were also questions about site access, with Mountbatten School close by and there being a lack of footpaths - potentially endangering children walking there.

Cllr Neil Gwynne said: "I think, like many members here if we were in a position to put conditions on access and pathways I'm sure we would, or at least request them, but we're not. 

"My comment was really about the affordable housing. As a term, it lacks some connection with reality - to be honest. 

"I would note that this development has eight two-bedroom properties and eighteen three-bedroom properties and an increasing number of homes around Romsey are dominated by four or five-bedroom so, they might not be affordable, but at least they are smaller."