SEVERAL angry residents voiced their opinions over a back garden development plan for Eastfield Lane at Ringwood Town Council’s planning, town and environment committee on Friday.

But despite the objections to the Zebra Property Solutions and the Personal Touch Property Care Limited scheme for 24 houses, including nine affordable homes, town councillors supported the plan.

At the meeting held in the Wedding Room at the New Forest District Council (NFDC) offices, a recorded vote was taken and five councillors agreed to recommend the plan to New Forest District Council planners while two refused recommendation.

Frank Cloke of Eastfield Lane told councillors he had carried out several traffic surveys on the lane and during each survey, counting between 729 and 769 vehicles in one hour.

He said: “We believe that this development is out of character and is unsuitable for the semi-rural location.

“The developer is offering a play area but I cannot see a play area will be much use.”

Elizabeth Matthews of Eastfield Lane said: “I live directly opposite the open entrance to this monstrosity. There are already three entrances but it will increase to five on a bend with no pavement.”

Another resident raised concerns over inadequate drainage. He said: “If you look at it over time you will see that it is a major problem.”

Residents were told that the county’s highways officer had raised no objections to the scheme.

As reported in last week’s Journal, ten detached houses, five pairs of semi-detached houses, one terrace of three houses and one link-detached house could replace 83, 85 and 87 Eastfield Lane.

New homes would be built on land at the rear of 79 to 81 and 89 to 91.

An NFDC spokesman said: “We do have this application, having previously refused two applications for more development on the site.

“The last refusal, for 26 units, is subject to an appeal. Hampshire County Council, the highway authority, has raised no objection to the current proposal.

“They obviously believe that Eastfield Lane has the capacity to take the extra traffic. Planning officers at New Forest District Council have yet to decide on a recommendation but will reach a conclusion in the next week or so.”

A spokesman for the scheme said: “The question is not if land at Eastfield Lane will be developed, it is about the right form of development to take the town forward. If the town is to prosper in the 21st century and beyond we have to bring it forward.

“Around 38 per cent of the scheme will be for affordable homes for local people and the remainder of houses are of a very high quality.”