Bloor Homes Ltd and Barker Mill Hillyfields Trust seeking NFDC permission to build 375 homes in Calmore north of Totton

Plans have been unveiled for a major new 375-home community on land in Calmore.

Bloor Homes previously secured approval for 269 homes on the land north of Salisbury Road from New Forest District Council planners under reserved matters in September.

Now the developer, working with Barker Mill Hillyfields Trust, is seeking outline permission to build 375 homes including new vehicle access routes, footpaths and cycleways on the 26-hectare site.

The development would form part of a “strategic allocation” to deliver more than 1,000 new homes alongside commercial and community facilities, open space, and a new primary school north of Totton.

As reported by the A&T on 12th May, an environmental impact assessment was still needed to build on a large site so close to the national park boundary. The Environment Agency wrote to NFDC saying it had “no objection” to the proposed development.

Besides the homes, the expansive plans would include a multi-functional community hub, alternative natural recreational greenspaces and public open spaces, as well as a community park, and a neighbourhood equipped area for play (NEAP).

There are also plans for landscaping and planting, surface water attenuation, a foul drainage pumping station, electrical substations, and other ancillary infrastructure.

In a design and access statement, the developer said: “Our landscape-led infrastructure for 375 homes supporting infrastructure and community parkland would deliver a beautiful thriving and logical extension to Bloor’s phase I proposals granted consent earlier this year.

“This proposal represents a unique opportunity to extend phase I and provide shared benefits through the delivery of a community parkland; this would knit development together seamlessly with limited wider impacts.

“The enhanced recreational offer, alongside the delivery community hub and much-needed homes represents an exciting unusual opportunity amid a housing crisis.”

They continued: “Our vision is to create a successful place where people aspire to live, set within a community parkland network.

“A well-designed natural extension complementing the phase I neighbourhood and wider [housing] allocation.

“Our proposal will include well-designed family homes, community facilities and a comprehensive green infrastructure network including a destination community parkland.

“The expanded neighbourhood will assist in meeting local housing needs, providing a range of high-quality new homes, affordable homes and opportunities for sustainable travel and healthy living.”

The public consultation period over the proposed development ends on 5th June.