East Meon residents are upset after a planning application received approval despite numerous objections. 

East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) approved an application for hazardous substance storage containers (magazines) on land to the rear of Lower House Farm, East Meon and ancillary works including fencing and landscaping.

However, residents are concerned about the dangers that explosives carry and the increase in traffic in transporting them.

One resident commented: “The roads here are very narrow and in an incredibly bad state so it's going to increase traffic. The explosives will be very close to a public footpath and people could break into those containers.”

An EHDC spokesperson said: "EHDC currently carries out planning duties on behalf of the South Downs National Park Authority. 

“As a planning authority we have the power to consider an application in terms of such things as access, drainage, the building materials used and the visual impact on the local landscape.

"In this case, any question over the safety of storing hazardous substances of the quantity proposed falls to the police."

There is also upset that the application did not go the planning committee as there were more than 20 objections.

According to the EHDC constitution, an application can only go to the committee when there are five or more objections.

But the local ward councillor must also write to the head of planning and request that the application be determined by the committee and other planning-related councillors must agree. Therefore, it is not obligatory.

Another resident added: “The site is designated as a dark sky and tranquil site and is adjacent to the South Downs Way and a horse riding lane. I don't think you could find a worse place if you tried!”

Residents are going through the council’s complaints procedure and if not satisfied, they will take the matter to the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman.