AN outline plan for 18 new homes and a village hall between Allington and Boscombe has been given approval by the Southern Area Planning Committee.

The application had the full support of the parish council, which has actively been seeking a village hall for the past 20 years.

Opposition came from some people who live in neighbouring properties who felt that the development would destroy some of the ecology in the area.

The applicant Justin Patterson said he does not plan on making substantial profits from the project.

He said: “This application requires blue sky thinking.

“It was the parish council that came to my father about the possibility of building this application. Eighty to 90 per cent of the village are in favour of this. I have been an architect for 20 years and I have never had so much support for an application."

The parish council has confirmed it has £30,000 in the bank to help finance the first few years and members are fully behind the project.

Cllr Chris Devine was unsure about the project but decided that, due to the support for the project locally, he could not vote against the wishes of the people.

“All the way though this I kept thinking ‘Where is the catch?’,” he said. “I think it will be years before they have the village hall built. It is not the right the development for the area.”

Some of the councillors felt the issue came down to trust and that they could back the parish council to deliver the village hall. But they also liked the provision of five affordable homes in a village that often struggles to retain younger people.

However, Cllr Richard Clewer added: “The affordable need in Allington is very low.

“That does not mean we don’t need other types of housing.”

The application was approved with nine votes in favour and two councillors abstaining.

It now means that the proposal will go back to planning with a detailed plan with the designs of the houses.