Plans for seven new homes in a village near Petersfield have been approved – despite some confusion over what’s been given the green light.

There were mixed feelings in Midhurst last Wednesday when plans to build housing on the Loppers Ash site in South Harting were approved by the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA).

The decision has been nearly two years in the making as the Jenkins Children first submitted plans to develop the greenfield site off New Lane 17 months ago.

Numerous alterations were made with villagers raising multiple concerns about design, access, density and drainage proposals for the site, allocated for 6 to 8 homes in the Park’s Local Plan.

Dozens of objections were made while a 19-page petition by the “Residents and Supporters of South Harting” was signed by people afar as Scotland and Spain.

“New Lane is the umbilical cord that connects the village to the downs – the critical thing about this road is its narrowness,” said Rob Gray to planning committee members, before Cllr Sheila Bramley of Harting Parish Council said some concerns had not been addressed.

She said: “We don’t believe the large car park has been adequately planned and we still have no details of how the houses will lie in relation to the road.

“We believe that seven houses are too many. We were told the applicant suggested a reduction but were told they couldn’t.

Fellow parish councillor and SDNPA planning committee member, Cllr Andrew Shaxson, also called for more details over drainage and other issues to be confirmed before a final decision was made.

Loppers Housing Site South Harting
The field at the eastern end of South Acre in South Harting has been earmarked for seven homes. (Google)

He said: “So many conditions need to be worked up.

“We can’t be certain what it is we’re going to agree to away from public scrutiny.”

Supporters said the traffic generated by the scheme would be “insignificant” with no concerns being raised by the highway authority, adding the proposed homes would be “modest and not bulky.”

Members heard early on that planning experts are happy with the access, layout and parking arrangements, with the scheme also including two affordable homes.

“It’s an allocated site, we have clear advice from the highway authority,” added member, Rob Mocatta.

“The biggest factor I can think about it is design but design officers support this development in this location. I’m struggling to find grounds for objection.”

A vote to defer was defeated, with members voting 4-2 for approval, subject to numerous conditions.