A RECYCLING yard near Whitchurch is set to be transformed into new homes after councillors gave the green light for the scheme.

Bryan Hirst Limited applied to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for permission to turn a recycling yard at Hurstbourne Station, in Hurstbourne Priors, into 30 new homes and 1,156-square-metres of office space in September last year.

Councillors on the development control committee voted in favour of the development, which is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, at a meeting last Wednesday.

Before development begins, all buildings at the site will be demolished to make way for the homes.

Ian Lasseter, who runs DGG Planning, spoke on behalf of the applicant, telling the meeting: “We are very pleased to have reached a stage of a positive recommendation. The scrapyard is surplus to my client’s requirements and existing activity will be transferred to Bullington Cross if developed.”

Mr Lasseter noted that Hurstbourne Parish Council had raised concerns about an increase in car journeys and the number of school places, but he defended the application saying: “With regards to traffic, there will be more trips than at present but I suggest the cars will have far less impact on the roads and the village than HGV lorries.”

Liberal Democrats councillor Michael Bound said that visiting the site was an “experience”, adding: “It looks an absolute tip to me.

“From my point of view, houses would be a great improvement on it.

“I know local people have concerns about the viability of the site because of the distance from shops and schools and the like but it is only 1.5km, I think, from St Mary Bourne where there is a shop.”