PLANNING committee councillors have refused to be guided by their officers and approve a controversial housing scheme for land beside Christchurch railway station.

Despite dire warnings that a refusal would be hard to defend on appeal and could result in heavy costs, the committee turned down proposals for more than 20 new homes on land between the railway line and Clarendon Road.

Now borough planning chief David Jobbins has invoked council rules to have the decision referred to next month's meeting following a review by independent consultants.

The outline plans for a mix of 24 flats and houses drawn up by landowners Network Rail were recommended for approval by planning officers.

They said the revised and reduced scheme overcame the reasons for refusing an earlier application for 30 homes on the same site two years ago.

But councillors, and a large number of objectors including Christchurch Citizens Association and the town's conservation trust, disagreed.

Planning committee members argued the access on to Clarendon Road opposite Christchurch junior school would add to traffic congestion and the noise and vibration of living so close to the railway line would be unacceptable for future residents. Cllr Colin Jamieson who proposed refusal said: "On the face of it, it looks quite an imaginative scheme but I don't think it is workable.

"It creates more problems than solutions. I still believe it is overdevelopment."

Chairman Cllr David Jones said the development appeared cramped and unattractive and would add extra traffic to a congested road.

"I wish it were possible to refuse it, but do we have defensible grounds for refusal?" he asked.

Mr Jobbins warned it would be difficult to defend an appeal on overdevelopment and traffic grounds when the density was within government guidelines and no objections had been raised by the highways authorities "If this were to go before an appeal inspector I have no doubt what the result would be.

"There is no question it would be allowed but my main concern is it would open the council to substantial costs," he said.

But Cllr Jamieson retorted: "I am not going to change my mind.

"I think this application is wrong and we should be prepared to stand up and defend what we are saying," he added.