A bid to build 30 new homes in an East Hampshire village is ‘not acceptable’ according to a planning chief – as not a single affordable home is part of the scheme.

The South Downs National Park Authority looks set to reject plans for the biggest new housing development in Liss for nearly a decade.

A firm called Property Experts Ltd wants to build 30 new homes on a 0.9 hectare site south of Inwood Road allocated for 25 properties.

But the scheme doesn’t include any affordable housing as the applicants claim it will affect the viability of the scheme. And while there has been negotiation with ‘several providers’ and talks about providing a sum to deliver affordable housing elsewhere, an agreement seems unlikely.

An independent assessment requested by the SDNPA has concluded that affordable housing could make up between 20 and 40 per cent of the development, although that’s below the 50 per cent required by the Park.

And because of that reason, a recommendation of refusal has been made with the scheme coming before the SDNPA’s Planning Committee next Thursday (September 10) in Midhurst.

“The scheme is acceptable in many respects,” states Tim Slaney, Director of Placemaking, in his report.

“However, the lack of any proposed affordable housing proposed on site, or even an off-site contribution being considered, is a significant concern which has not been satisfactorily addressed.

“Whilst there is still open dialogue with the applicant, no agreement not been reached on a key area of build costs nor has any affordable housing offer has been proposed.

“It is questionable as to whether an acceptable resolution will be achieved.

Mr Slaney added: “The discussions have reached a point whereby officers consider that zero affordable housing on site, nor even any proposed off-site contribution is not an acceptable position.”

While some concerns have been raised about drainage by objectors, planners are otherwise happy with the design, materials, highway safety, trees, layout and other aspects of the scheme.

Two-bedroom homes make up half the figure (15) while just a single one-bedroom property is proposed, with the remainder being four and five-bedroom properties.

Should the application be approved for the site between Newman Collard, Liss Junior School and East Hill House, all the housing provided will be for the open market.

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Liss Parish Council also raised no objections when they reviewed the scheme last year, but they, too, would like affordable housing included.