PETERSFIELD Development Committee heard South Downs National Park wants to reduce the number of self-build houses planned for a field off Reservoir Lane (pictured).

At their meeting on Friday, September 3, members learned that the national park wants to reduce the number of houses on the land put forward as part of the planning application for the site.

Petersfield Community Land Trust is behind the self build idea, that proposes a dozen cut-price plots for houses are made available to families with a local connection keen to build their own homes.

But the national park wants to reduce the number of homes to make the individual plots bigger.

This is despite there being a desperate shortage off affordable housing in the town, and across East Hampshire.

A CLT spokesman said: “The CLT has identified a need in the town for housing for first time buyers and for families who need to move up the housing ladder.

“If the plot sizes were to be increased, this would impact on affordability and increase costs.”

The trust says it hopes to resolve the issues so the planning application can be approved.

It then hopes to buy the land at a below market value price from the private owner who supports the ‘self build’ proposal.

Once bought, vetting potential ‘self builders,’ will then begin.

The development committee, overseen by Petersfield Town Council, agreed to write to the national park supporting the 12-house planning application.

A committee spokesman said: “There is a recognised need for this type of housing.”