Portchester residents have breathed a sigh of relief after planning officers threw out two applications to build flats on a green oasis in their community.

Fareham planning chiefs refused plans submitted by Merjen Engineering and Swaythling Housing Association to construct new homes, car parking and access roads on open space at the junction of the A27 and Station Road.

The decision comes following a bout of proposed applications in the area, including a major development in Cranleigh Road.

But, although the refusal is a comfort to residents, who were worried the grassy area dotted with cherry trees would disappear under developers' bulldozers, they can't be certain the land is safe as planners have agreed it can be built on in principle.

Planning secretary for the Portchester Society Glyn Wadey said: "We are relieved it was refused but it's a lot more temporary than it needed to be.

"We wanted the committee to include the potential dangers of traffic and the threat to a visual amenity in the refusal to prevent future applications of this kind.

"But the committee voted against it, which is a great shame."

Merjen Engineering wanted to redevelop an existing factory on the site, which included the green area, in order to build 16 two-bedroom flats, while Swaythling Housing Association wanted to demolish one of the houses in The Leaway and build 18 one-and-two-bedroom flats on the land.

Residents sent in 75 letters of objection outlining concerns about the loss of their attractive green space, which is used by many people for dog-walking.

There were also fears that the looming developments would increase traffic and parking along the quiet residential street and that existing houses would be overlooked. But, although the committee refused due to visual impact and traffic issues this time round, they had no objections to building on the open space if a suitable application was submitted in future.

Portchester South councillor Roger Price said he was disappointed with the decision.

"That space is a green lung in the area and at the gateway to

Portchester - it shouldn't be developed on at all. People think Portchester has surplus open space, but within this area there is very little."

l A further application by Tenthorne Ltd to build seven flats and car parking at White Hart Lane in Portchester has been approved by planning chiefs.