A DECISION on plans to build 200 houses on fields in Petersfield has been deferred so that design details can be thrashed out.
South National Park Authority (SDNPA) planning committee members were clear there was support for the idea of building an estate on Causeway Farm, but insisted that all the design detail be provided before a final decision was reached.
It is hoped all the details required on the application by developers David Wilson Homes, Bovis Homes and 4L will be completed in time for the committee’s May meeting.
Of the nine committee members, none voiced outright opposition to the proposal during the meeting today (April 14), with four saying they supported the officers recommendation the application should be approved.
During the meeting in the South Downs Centre in Midhurst the committee heard from SDNPA planning officers that fine tuning the proposal could be dealt with by imposing conditions on the developers.
But this didn’t satisfy the majority of the members, including East Hampshire district councillor for East Meon Rob Mocatta and Buriton resident Doug Jones.
They said the application, thought to be one of the biggest put forward in a national park, should set a benchmark of excellence for future development in national parks that everyone “could be proud off.”
Six members voted to defer a decision, and three voted against.
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It is now expected the application will come back to the committee essentially the same, but with more detail of house design, boundary walls, the sewage pond, cycle routes and footpaths.