PLANNERS have rejected a plan for a new house near a mansion on the outskirts of Winchester.

The developer wanted to build the five-bedroom house in the grounds of Abbots Worthy House The proposal had some support including nine letters and also the Upper Itchen Valley Society which said the visual intrusion would be minimal But there were also 18 letters of objection, citing the dangers of the proposed entrance to the new property off Mill Lane.

Some argued it would set an unwelcome precedent for residential infilling in the small village that sits on the River Itchen, north of Winchester.

Councillors on the planning committee rejected the application.