PLANS to build nine homes in Romsey could be given the green light by civic chiefs, it has been revealed.

A planning application was submitted to Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) to build a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes in Cupernham Lane.

If approved the applicant, Stratland Estates Limited, would create 23 parking spaces as part of the plans.

Now a community leader has heavily criticised the plans, claiming the homes could make the area overdeveloped.

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Cllr Dorothy Baverstock, who represents Romsey Cupernham on the borough council, said: "I always get very suspicious when things come in like that because they could build the 23 spaces and one of those homes could be used to set up a business.

"It could be a person who was wanted to have a business there and they need to have more spaces, so people can bomb in and out of the area.

"With that area, my worry is Cupernham Lane is now becoming a place that is just as active on planning applications as Abbotswood."

Hampshire Chronicle: Cllr Dorothy Baverstock Cllr Dorothy Baverstock

She added: "That land is presumably all in the countryside or it used to be in the countryside, so every time I see a plan application for there I feel it takes away the whole ethos of that bit of countryside.

"It seems strange there are 23 spaces for these houses and I always worry with something like that, because the applicant could say 'no one will buy two bedroom houses, so we will make it into three, four and five bedroom houses' if they have already got the planning permission for the spaces."

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Stratland Estates Limited has been contacted for comment.

TVBC are due to decide on the plans on Tuesday, July 14.

As previously reported in the Romsey Advertiser, plans to turn the Abbey Hotel, Church Street, into flats and a kitchen showroom came under fire from residents over fears the market town would become overdeveloped.

Critics of the controversial application objected to the lack of car parking spaces planned for the site, claiming residents will likely want to park next to their properties.