AN ambitious plan to create 3,600 jobs at a giant development in Nursling hangs in the balance.

Proposals to transform land at Adanac Park by the M271 into a huge complex with dozens of businesses were blocked by Test Valley borough councillors.

Acting against officer recommendations members of TVBC planning committee rejected four out of nine applications which made a masterplan to develop the 78-acre site close to the Ordnance Survey’s headquarters.

Councillors claimed key parts of landowner Barker-Mill Estates’ proposals to create more than 47,000 sq m of business space and 31,700 sq m of storage and distribution space failed to create enough quality employment.

They also complained much of the development would cause noise and pollution for people living in some homes planned for the site and people already living nearby.

The decision will now be decided by the county’s planning control.

Councillors were particularly against plans to create two separate 27,600 sq m and 4,100 sq m zones of storage distribution and general industry, ruling it contradicted local policy of promoting the area for hi-tech and skilled jobs.

Mark Cooper told the meeting that better quality employment was needed and said: “We want to be the brains of the world. We don’t want to be a country importing from South Korea and China to process them in warehouses.”

Nigel Anderdon, who represents Nursling, said the proposed distribution centres would be too close to proposed houses making it “appalling” for future residents.

The panel also accepted plans to transform Grade II listed buildings at Bargain Farm into homes but rejected the developer’s plans for 23 homes due to its perceived “poor design”.

They passed plans to create two other 10,840 sq m and 12,941 sq m of light industrial use on the site and a restaurant in Adanac Triangle.

Afterwards Barker-Mill Estates trustee Tim Jobling said the developers are considering their options and added: “We are deeply disappointed that our plans to progress such an economically beneficial development for the community have been declined.”

Six residents living near the site objected to the plans, saying it would “destroy whatever village character is left in Rownhams” and turn it into an “unattractive place to live and work”.

However, another three residents, and Nursling-based Meachers Global Logistics, wrote in favour of the scheme, saying there was a demand for new business space and it would provide much-needed employmnt.

Southampton City and Hampshire County Councils have previously backed the plans.