COUNCILLORS were split over a plan for a new garage at a house in Sparsholt.

Amanda and John McKenna applied for changes at The Lodge, Home Lane.

Plans for a modern-style single-storey extension were not contentious but the committee was split over a new garage, which attracted eight objections.

The parish council said it would have an unacceptable impact on the neighbouring property Mayfield House.

Local ward councillor Caroline Horrill said there was significant concern about the garage locally and questioned how it fitted in to the council's green agenda to allow the demolition of perfectly good existing garage.

A Mr Tovey, objecting, gave a visual presentation of the impact of the new garage.

Cllr Lawrence Ruffell was concerned about the use of the house. "Why have an office inside the front door? Is is going to be a business? It looks suspicious to me."

Committee chairman Therese Evans answered: "It is not for us to tell people how to use their house. If they want the front door opening onto their study that is their choice. And how they use the upstairs of their garage that is their choice."

Cllr Evans said if the neighbours thought there were breaches of planning rules they could report it to the enforcement team at the council.

The committee was divided four votes each and Cllr Evans used her casting vote to approve the plan.