PLANS for a massive housing development on a contentious site in Shipston have been thrown out by planners.

Stratford District Council's planning committee (East) voted to oppose Ainscough Strategic Land's (ASL) application for 143 homes and 72 extra care apartments on land north of Campden Road at a meeting yesterday (Wednesday).

Members rejected the application on advice on the recommendation of planning officers on the grounds it would have a negative impact on the landscape as the plan proposed to build on the slopes of Wadden Hill.

As previously reported, the developer's proposals were submitted as a 'Plan B' application, as the same site is currently the subject of an appeal for a supermarket, petrol station and extra-care retirement home which is resuming on Tuesday, July 8 for two weeks.

Councillor Jeff Kenner, Shipston ward member, welcomed the decision.

"At this 11th hour SDC must concede the appeal so the supermarket and petrol station and mixed using housing can get ahead," he said.

"Otherwise there's a real danger this scheme of 100 per cent housing that no one wants will go ahead."

Fellow ward councillor Richard Cheney, who also objected to the plans, also fully agreed with the committee's decision.

John Brooks, Planning Director at ASL, said they were disappointed the application was refused.

"It would have brought much needed housing to the district," he said. "Our commitment remains to the mixed used scheme which is going to enquiry which we feel is appropriate for this site.

"We need to consider the reason for refusal and decide how we take it forward but our commitment remains to the original scheme that we had."