Up to 270 new homes approved after appeal

A plan for up to 270 new homes has been approved on appeal after a council turned them down.

Gladman Developments applied to build the homes on land east of Halterworth Lane in Romsey, Hampshire, last year but had its bid rejected by Test Valley Borough Council.

The developer appealed to the Planning Inspectorate and its bid was approved on Thursday.

Planning inspector Zoe Raygen said although the development will lead to some "adverse impacts", they will "not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits" of the new housing.

She also found it was unable to show that it has a five-year housing land supply, which meant the inspector could use a "tilted balance" in favour of development.

Authorities should be able to show they have a deliverable supply of new homes for at least five years under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

The council's current supply is 2.7 years.

The application also includes land for the potential future expansion of Halterworth Primary School, also in Halterworth Lane.

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