NEW Forest developer Pennyfarthing Homes Ltd will face concerted local opposition at a public inquiry into whether it can build 22 new homes on a plot in Bransgore.

New Forest District Council refused the Ossemsley-based company's outline plans for 18 houses and four flats on land near Melbury Cottage, West Road, on the grounds they would be too bulky and out of context.

In addition the layout would lead to loss of privacy for neighbours, noise nuisance and limited amenity for the occupiers of the new homes.

Inadequate provision has been made for public open space and for affordable housing at the site, and insufficient information had been supplied to demonstrate the development would not cause flooding, planners said.

The council's housing development manager says the proposal requires 7.7 affordable homes of which seven should be provided with the remaining 0.7 delivered as a financial contribution.

Seven, made up of four flats and three terraced houses, are shown located in one corner of the site, which does not comply with council policy.

Parish councillors are also opposed to the plan, citing concerns about drainage, flooding, additional traffic, inappropriate design, excessive density, loss of wildlife habitat, the housing mix and inadequate infrastructure.

More than 50 Bransgore residents have written in opposition with a letter bearing the signatures of several Bransgore Residents' Association members.

In addition to the councillors' concerns, the residents' association says there will be a loss of trees and hedges, noise and disruption during construction, inadequate visitor parking, impact on property values and inappropriate development on the edge of the New Forest National Park.

Residents' association chairman June Richardson said the organisation would be attending the inquiry "without a doubt".

"I'm very surprised to be honest that they have decided to go to appeal straightaway like this instead of coming back with another set of plans, because they were told these plans were not acceptable by New Forest District Council," said Mrs Richards.

Pennyfarthing rejects the claims. The date of the inquiry has yet to be announced.