An inquiry over refused plans for scores of affordable homes on former school playing fields in Southampton is set to begin this week.

Sovereign Network Group (SGN) launched an appeal after councillors refused its proposal for the redevelopment of the land to the rear of what was St Mary’s Independent School.

The firm wants to build an 84-home scheme on the tree-lined site, which sits between Monastery Road, Beech Avenue and Cobden Crescent in Bitterne.

The application attracted a large amount of opposition, with more than 180 residents submitting objections.

At the planning and rights of way of panel in March where there was standing room only, members went against the recommendation of officers and rejected the application.

The formal reasons given for refusal were the loss of open space and playing fields, the design of the development not being commensurate with the surrounding area and the impact on residential amenity in Monastery Road from increased traffic movement.

It was disputed at the meeting as to whether anyone had been able to access the field in its current state.

SGN insisted it was fenced off with locked gates after being deemed surplus to the requirements of Charlton House Independent School and Yarrow Heights School, which now occupy the St Mary’s Independent School site.

The proposed development features eight one-bed flats, 24 two-bed flats, 27 two-bed houses, 22 three-bed houses and three four-bed houses.

The appellant said it can use its strategic partnership grant from Homes England to deliver the scheme as 42 social rented and 42 shared ownership homes.

Since lodging the challenge in July, SGN and Southampton City Council have submitted various documents and details to the Planning Inspectorate.

Government-appointed planning inspector John Longmuir will oversee the inquiry, which is due to start at 10am in the Council Chamber in the Civic Centre on Tuesday.

The inquiry, which is open for the public to attend and observe, is scheduled to last eight days but it is not likely to sit on Mondays.

Once he has heard all of the evidence, Mr Longuir will consider all of the material in the appeal before reaching a decision in due course, which will be published online.

This is usually several weeks after the inquiry has taken place.

Details about the planning inquiry, including links to a video stream of each day’s proceedings, can be found at southampton.gov.uk/planning/planning-applications/st-marys-college-planning-appeal