Draft plans to build 18 houses on pasture in Ropley have been approved amid claims that new development will bring “long-term viability” to the village.

Outline plans to develop the 3.25 hectare site on land north of Dean Cottage in Bighton Hill were approved by EHDC despite local objections.

Councillors gave the nod after applicant Christopher Graham reduced the size of the scheme from 28 homes to 18 with the figure including five affordable rent and two shared ownership properties.

The planning committee heard the application elicited more than 100 letters of objection but Ropley ward councillor, Charles Louisson, believes the village must accept some limited development so new and older families can stay local and downsize, respectively.

The application was considered under a “tilted balance” in favour of the development as harm could not be shown and EHDC only has a 3.59 year supply of housing.

Concerns about the retention of protected trees, rerouting footpaths and an unsustainable main route to the village were raised along with extra traffic on the A31 and access from Bighton Hill.

Councillor Roger Mullenger said it was disappointing that there wasn’t a three-dimensional visualisation of the site to show the scale of the proposed homes.

Cllr Louisson said there might be a focus on the houses being one or 1.5 storey, giving the homes less prominence in the landscape. 

The site offers a large area of public open parkland with homes built at the lower end of the site where the harm of negative visual impact is lessened, stated the officer’s report.

The proposals include the gifting of two acres of land to Ropley Parish Council, which lies adjacent to the existing Ropley Sports Club for community use, potentially for a football pitch.

The outline application was approved by 11 votes.