Battle looms over ‘garden-grabbing’

Knightstone Housing Association has lodged an appeal after being refused planning permission to build three flats in the grounds of a house at Eling Lane, Totton.

New Forest District Council rejected the application last year after the scheme was criticised by people living near the site.

Objectors said a proposal to create an access from Boothby Close would lead to an increase in traffic, putting pensioners and children at risk.

Families living in Eling Lane and neighbouring streets launched a petition in a bid to block the plans.

Campaigner Carmen Palmer said: "The flats will take away people's privacy, as well as increasing the amount of traffic in the area, making it unsafe for children and pensioners.

"A lot of people in the neighbourhood are upset about the proposals."

Residents secured the backing of Totton and Eling Town Council, which described the scheme as over-development and claimed it would create extra traffic problems in an area already "overcrowded" with cars.

District councillors rejected the application after claiming the development would be cramped and out of keeping.

Now residents are preparing for round two of their battle with Knightstone, which has lodged an appeal with government planners.

An interim document accompanying the appeal says: "The site is located within the built-up area of Totton.

"Residential development in the form of flats is acceptable throughout the urban area provided there's no harm to residential amenities or the character of the area.

"The applicants will demonstrate that there's nothing that would appear unduly cramped or out of character."

However, the scheme is being cited as the latest example of "garden-grabbing", which involves developers attempting to build several homes on plots currently occupied by one property.

In Lymington, campaigners have accused housebuilders of destroying the town's character by buying up properties with large gardens and replacing them with flats.