PLANS for 80 holiday lodges in a Test Valley village have been allowed at an appeal. 

Geoffrey Billett's scheme at Hill Farm Park, Branches Lane in Sherfield English, was refused by the borough councillors in November 2022 after they said it was out of character for the area.

A new plan was then submitted for 68 lodges and permitted by the same committee in October last year. 

However, an appeal for the initial plan has now been allowed. The lodges can only be occupied for 11 months each year with the site closed in January.

An appeal hearing was held on March 5 with the decision published on April 19. Planning inspector E Dade said: “The proposal would enable the siting of a maximum of 80 static caravans, replacing 143 touring caravan and camping pitches and the caravan storage and sales area. The proposal would therefore reduce the number of units of visitor accommodation on the site.

READ MORE: Plans for 68 holiday lodges permitted by councillors

“The proposal would result in the year-round siting of static caravans of greater scale, bulk, and perceived density than seasonal touring caravans and tents. However, the external appearance of the static caravans would be controlled through condition to complement the character of the area and reduce the visual intrusion associated with the bold colour of touring caravans. The landscaping proposals would, in the long term, successfully screen views into the site from Branches Lane. Since the proposal would be located within the existing holiday park it would not significantly degrade the spacing between hamlets, and therefore would maintain the character of settlements.

“Consequently, the extent of any visual change associated with the proposal would not amount to harm. The effects of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area would therefore be neutral.

“For the reasons given above, having regard to the development plan taken as a whole and all other relevant material considerations, I conclude the appeal should be allowed.”

Michael Arnison-Newgass, of Gambledown, spoke at the appeal hearing. He said the site would be better used for permanent housing. He added: “I strongly feel that, given they are now to be allowed, it is ridiculous that they may only be occupied for eleven months of the year (the site is to be closed each January). This will be to all intents and purposes a pre-fab estate. There are still pre-fab estates in the area that were put up after the last war, notably off Alresford Road, east of Winchester (between the Magdalen Hill Cemetery and the Holiday Inn). Many people live in those pre-fabs perfectly happily. 

“This eleven months restriction seems to be a beggar-my-neighbour policy of the local authority, just to prevent the chalets from being classed as permanent dwellings and so avoid their owners registering with local doctor’s surgeries or sending children to local schools. I can think of no other reason for the restriction.”