A PARISH council has criticised the lack of two-bed properties proposed at a Test Valley village housing development. 

Shorewood Homes got outline permission for 18 homes in Furzedown Road, in King's Somborne in 2022. 

The latest application was for minor alterations, but King's Somborne Parish Council said the number of two-bed homes went against their neighbourhood development plan. 

Test Valley Borough Council's southern area planning committee, on April 23, heard that the development includes two one-bed properties and five two-bed properties. However the parish council suggested that it should drop the one-bed and instead have seven two-bed.

Despite this, the planning committee approved it with nine votes for and three against.

Andy Jaggard, from the parish council, said: “The neighbourhood development plan is the clearest indication we have of the desires of the parish. The plan was adopted in November last year. To go against this goes against the parish desires. 

Hampshire Chronicle: Andy Jaggard

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“The housing mix is not appropriate for the parish need. We need more two-bed properties. This should stick to the development plan.”

The application received seven objections from members of the public. 

Andrew Hill, of Furzedown Road, is a neighbour of the site and raised concerns over some of the land ownership. He said: “The land ownership next to my property needs to be established.”

Stuart Garnett, head of planning at Shorewood Homes, said: “We have worked hard to produce a policy compliant proposal. There are no objections from consultees. 

Hampshire Chronicle: Shorewood Homes plan

“The parish council says there should be more two-bed properties, but our housing mix has been advised by the borough council housing officer. This will be a high quality addition to the village.”

Cllr John Parker asked if the developer would be willing to increase the number of two-bed properties. Mr Garnett said: “It is something we have looked at, but this was the position of the housing officer. We are flexible as a developer.”

Cllr Parker said: “I'm conflicted by this. As a council we support the production of neighbourhood development plans, I loathe to permit and application which is contrary to it.”

Cllr Alison Johnston said: “We're talking about small numbers here. It could set a dangerous precedent, there are overarching issues here. I know how much work goes into producing a neighbourhood development plan.”

The planning officers' report said: “Outline planning permission has been granted at this site for residential development, with this reserved matters submission seeking to provide an acceptable form of development with respect to layout, appearance and landscape. Following the assessment undertaken above, it is considered that the proposed scheme is an acceptable form of development for reserved matters approval.”