AN APPEAL against the borough council’s decision to refuse permission to build six homes on a car park has been dismissed by the planning inspectorate.

Quadron Investments Ltd appealed the decision made by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in December 2020 when councillors refused to grant an application to build six homes on the land in Halliday Close.

More than 40 residents objected to the plans, which were recommended for approval by council officers.

However, nine members of the council’s Development Control Committee voted to reject the plans because of the loss of amenity for existing residents, describing the proposals as cramped, incongruous, and out of keeping with the character of the area.

An appeal was submitted in April, and an inspector appointed by the secretary of state decided the appeal on October 18.

In a report published online, the inspector said: “The proposal would integrate successfully with surrounding residential development and would not appear unduly cramped or incongruous. It would not, therefore, have a materially harmful effect on the character and appearance of the area.”

However, the inspector found that the proposal would “result in materially harmful effect on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, in respect of privacy impacts”.

For this reason, the appeal was dismissed. The inspector concluded that the development would be contrary to various local planning policies.

The inspector noted that the borough council “cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites”.

The report said: “There would be benefits arising from the creation of six additional dwellings, which would make a modest contribution towards addressing the hosing supply deficit”.

However, it added that the harm caused by the development would “significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits”.

The inspector also refused an application for an award of costs made by Quadron.

Following the refusal by the council, Quadron built a fence around the land to prevent residents from parking there.

Quadron has been asked for a comment.