A TORY MP has stepped into the row over plans for 350 homes in a Hampshire village.

Caroline Nokes has accused a Government-appointed planning inspector of riding roughshod over local people’s views by backing plans for the 27-acre housing estate at Nursling.

She has written to Communities Secretary Eric Pickles asking him to review the decision.

As reported in yesterday’s Daily Echo, villagers were stunned when planning inspector Brian Sims overruled councillors who had thrown out the plans for land off Redbridge Lane, Nursling.

Test Valley councillors rejected the plans in the summer on the grounds that it would destroy the only green gap between Nursling and Southampton and there was no demonstrable need for the 350 homes.

Villagers fear the 27-acre housing estate will see Nursling over-run by traffic and lose its identity.

In his report, Mr Sims, who presided over a six-day public inquiry in Romsey in September, said the difference between Nursling and Southampton would be retained by the Home Covert protected woodland site.

He added that despite widespread belief among residents that traffic generated by the proposals would cause congestion, pollution and danger to travellers along Redbridge Lane, there were no objections from the highways authority or the council on those grounds.

However, Mrs Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North, said: “I’m very concerned that the appeal inspector has ridden roughshod over the views of the local borough council, has disregarded the current planning policies, and instead has relied upon figures regarding the need for a five-year land supply put forward by the developer and disputed by the borough council.”

In her letter to Mr Pickles, Mrs Nokes wrote: “Local councillors and residents have asked that I ask you to recover this decision, which has significant local interest, and is a direct result of the failed planning policies of the previous government which you have done so much to amend since the General Election.”

Nursling and Rownhams Parish Council boss Phil Bundy said: “This is a tremendous blow to Nursling and Rownhams. It will increase the population of Nursling by 50 per cent.”

Barker-Mill Estates, which owns the land, has promised the development will pump £2m into community projects. Work could start in around a year’s time.