DEVELOPERS made a last-ditch attempt this week, in front of a government planning inspector, to build 275 homes together with a school and community centre on the controversial Causeway Farm site in Petersfield.

It is one of the most contentious sites in East Hampshire District CouncilÕs local plan,. and planning inspector Richard Hollox set aside an unprecedented three days this week, to hear arguments on behalf of developers Phillips Build and a host of objectors.

There was a storm of protest from Petersfield people when outline plans for 275 homes on the site were submitted last year. The developers claimed the Causeway homes should be built before Ramshill was developed, as they would be closer to the town.

But the plan was thrown out on the grounds that it was premature in relation to the latest review of the local plan. The Ramshill houses are now being built.

Causeway Farm is currently earmarked, in EHDCÕs latest review of the local plan, on the reserve housing list for the development of 275 homes if more land is needed in the next 10 years. The site is ranked fifth out of 13 sites.

But appearing for the developer, QC Malcolm Spence told the inspector developers believed Causeway Farm should be brought forward to the baseline housing list as PetersfieldÕs next major housing development site.

He wanted the inspector to make the site a baseline allocation, or failing that, to put it at the top of the reserve list.

He said Causeway Farm in Petersfield was at one of the two most sustainable settlements in the district, the other being Alton. The amount of true previously-developed land left in the district was trifling, he told the inquiry, with only Holybourne and Lower Farringdon fitting the bill, which were both very small sites.

In comparison, he claimed, Causeway Farm fulfilled all the criteria for development.

Planning consultant Martin Hawthorne, appearing for Phillips Build, told the inquiry: ÒIt is my evidence that given the siteÕs location at one of the two most sustainable settlements in the district, its highly accessible and sustainable location in very close proximity to Petersfield town centre, its provision of significant community benefits and enhancements, the site should be identified as a baseline allocation.Ó

Mr Hawthorne told the inquiry that the site was first proposed for housing in EHDCÕs local plan ten years ago, but was deleted when the Ministry of Defence released the massive OSU brownfield site in the centre of Liphook. This led to Causeway Farm being replaced by three smaller sites in Petersfield.

But, Mr Hawthorne , Causeway Farm would not only provide 96 affordable homes but also a new community hall, reserved site for a new primary school, public open space and a new riverside pathway, he said.

He added that it was preferable to Pennsfield, which was remote from the town centre.

Objectors were due to have their say on Thursday and Friday. Among those scheduled to speak were The Causeway Farm Group led by Philip Haines, and Christopher Napier, chairman of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, East Hampshire District Group.