A CONTROVERSIAL housing development scheme planned for Allbrook was last night shown the red card by Eastleigh councillors.

They kicked out a recommendation by planning officers to grant planning permission for nine homes to built in two flat-roofed terraced blocks on land off Pitmore Road.

Villagers had been sharply divided in their opinions over the futuristic design of the development.

In a report, the Eastleigh Local Area was told that there had been 24 letters of objection from nearby residents who maintained that the proposals would be out of character and the design would be an eyesore.

There had also been 11 letters of support from other villagers who welcomed the innovative design.

In recommending approval planning officers had said the site was within the urban edge and the application satisfied national, county and planning policies.

The council's development control chief Colin Peters pointed out that the government guidelines stated that innovation and imagination should not be stifled.

But opponents of the scheme won the day when Councillor Wayne Irish successfully called for permission to be refused.

He said: "It is out of character and would spoil the whole environment of the area."

Councillor Alan Broadhurst said it would be totally out of character in what was a centuries old village. Councillor Marilyn Birks described the scheme as an interesting and daring design but not appropriate for the location.