Giant warehouse inquiry under way

The former military site was once used to test and develop Concorde's engines

A public inquiry into controversial plans for a huge warehouse in Hampshire has begun.

Developers Astral and Prupim wanted to build what would have been one of the south's largest warehouses at Pyestock, between Fleet and Farnborough.

But Hart District Council's planning committee rejected the plans in March after residents voiced concerns about pollution, noise and sleep deprivation.

The first of the hearings began on Tuesday at Hitches Lane Leisure Centre.

Councillor Richard Appleton, Hart's portfolio holder for planning, said: "I promised the thousands of residents concerned about the Pyestock mega-depot that Hart would robustly defend its decision to refuse planning permission.

"The inspector should take heed of the reasoned arguments and voices of the whole community saying that the development is unacceptable and throw it out."

Summer decision

More than 500 people attended the special meeting in the Princes Hall, where the district council refused planning permission for the redevelopment of the derelict former military site once used to test and develop Concorde's engines.

The building, a short distance from the M3 motorway, would be the same size as the Millennium Dome and operate 24 hours a day.

Prudential Property Investment Managers Ltd and Astral Developments Ltd, appealed against the local authority's decision to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

The inquiry's inspector, Christina Downes, will now prepare a report on the proposals so the Secretary of State can make the decision possibly in the early summer of 2009, a council spokesman said.

After the first day, the inquiry will be held in the council chamber at the Civic Offices in Harlington Way, Fleet, sitting between 0930 and 1730 GMT from Tuesday to Friday over the next four weeks.

However, one session will take place on 4 December, from 1900 GMT at the Hitches Lane Leisure Centre for those who are unable to attend the inquiry during the day, the council said.