New Forest District Council's planning committee approves plans for 164 homes off Brockhills Lane in New Milton

ANGRY residents jeered as New Forest District Council’s planning committee approved unpopular plans for 164 new homes in New Milton.

The committee debated the application by Pennyfarthing Homes for the site off Brockhills Lane after a decision was deferred in December due to councillors’ concerns over highway safety for pedestrians.

A new report rejected those fears, however – one of the major issues for local residents who argued the roads are too narrow and dangerous for so many houses.

Members of the public opposing the plans, who had clapped and jeered during the meeting, shouted “scandalous” and “absolutely disgusting” after the scheme was allowed by just two votes.

Recommending the plans be approved, a report explained: “There is no dispute that the proposed development will result in an increase in traffic generation on the local network, although very little quantifiable evidence was put forward to support these objections in comparison to the comprehensive industry standard data used by the applicant and endorsed by the highway authority.

“The fact remains, however, that Hampshire County Council... carefully assessed and considered this proposal and, having done so, raised no objections to it, stating that it agreed there would be no unacceptable impact on highway safety and no residual cumulative highway impacts that can be considered to be severe.”

But Cllr David Hawkins, from New Milton, told the meeting he was “very disappointed” with the recommendation.

He said: “I think there is too much potential for the loss of life of young people and children [walking] to school and I’m very uncomfortable to say I agree with this.”

Cllr Maureen Holding said the developer should “go back to the drawing board”, and added: “We’re elected to say what we feel and we should not be engineered into any corners.

“There are going to be accidents and I believe sincerely we should listen to the local people.”

However, Cllr Ann Bellows said that while members were not happy with the development she noted there were no legal reasons for refusing the scheme.

Cllr Ann Sevier said it was “a nice development” and added: “I think it was me in December who suggested we defer for more information.

“We now have that. We have to keep to policy and we’ve done the best we can by highlighting issues outside the development site.”

Members voted to approve the application by seven votes to five. There were three abstentions.

The developer intends to build a mixture of houses, apartments and bungalows ranging from one to four bedrooms on the 96-hectare site, which is currently used for grazing.

Half of the accommodation would be allocated as “affordable” with 21 first homes, 13 social rent, 25 affordable rent and 23 shared ownership schemes.

The land is earmarked in New Forest District Council’s Local Plan for at least 130 homes.

Responding to concerns, Pennyfarthing Homes agreed no residential units would be occupied until a crossing point and footpath link is provided along Brockhills Lane between the proposed footpath in the south-west corner of the site and the existing footpath in Brockhills Lane.

It will also create a pedestrian footpath within the site directly opposite the southern side of the Hollands Wood Drive junction, incorporating a crossing facility.

Uncontrolled crossing points will also be created at the junction of Brockhills Lane and Oakwood Avenue; Ashley Common Road and Miller Close; Molyneux Road/ Ashley Road and Highridge Crescent/ Ashley Road.