CONTROVERSIAL plans to build six homes on the site of the old telephone repeater station in Harnham went before a planning inspector today (Tuesday).

Property management company Telereal Trillium appealed a decision made by Wiltshire Council's Southern Area Planning Committee last November.

The developer hopes to demolish the existing building - a three to four storey building constructed in the late 1930s - and build two four-bedroom and four three-bedroom houses on the derelict brownfield site in Shaftesbury Drove.

But Wiltshire councillors rejected the plans on the grounds of overdevelopment.

Earlier today planning inspector Jennifer Tempest presided over an appeal hearing, attended by eight residents living close to the 0.4 acre site which is accessed via a private road.

Wiltshire Council planning officer Tom Wippell said the plans were out of keeping with the character of neighbouring properties, with the area comprised of "large detached dwellings in generous plots".

He said the density of the houses was "inappropriate" with the two houses at the front of the development being so close to each other that it had an "overbearing impact", adding that that the "relatively shallow" gardens of 10.8 metres gave the development a "congested" appearance.

Residents at the hearing said they were concerned over the high density of the development, extra traffic on narrow roads creating safety issues, the new homes overlooking existing ones, and increased noise.

They also raised concerns over the lack of consultation from the developers on the plans.

Planning consultants Savills said Wiltshire Council did not have an adequate supply of housing land and needed to grant planning permission, according to national policy, unless "harm significantly and demonstrably outweighs the benefits of the scheme" but the council argued that it does have a suitable five year supply of housing land.

Architect Trevor Sutters said the development would enhance the area while Jonny Pitts from Telereal Trillium said there had been two separate public consultations.

Mr Pitts said he acknowledged residents probably wanted two houses both worth £850k rather than six smaller ones and the landowner's lawyer David Hurdy said "I'm not sure the 'I don't like it' argument is a justifiable one. There has to be planning reasons."

Residents say they are not opposed to development of the site but are against the high density.

One of the neighbours Fiona Markey said: "It's unfortunate we are being represented as NIMBYS.

"We are happy to have the site developed but we are concerned - we want the families living there to be as happy as we are to have them.

"The tone of attitude towards us residents has felt quite condemning.

"We are very happy and privileged to live where we live and we want to keep the environment safe and I think it's quite disappointing that we are being portrayed as though we are dreadfully arrogant, rich and privileged."

A decision on the planning appeal is expected to be made within the next eight weeks.