Campaign group PALLS says outline bid by Cicero Estates for 82 homes in Pennington 'confirms worst fears'

A CAMPAIGN group set up to fight plans for a major housing development in Pennington has said the recently launched planning application "confirms our worst fears".

As reported in the A&T, developer Cicero Estates submitted an outline application for 82 homes on agricultural land east of Lower Pennington Lane.

Pennington and Lymington Lanes Society (PALLS) has now pledged to fight the proposals and is urging others to object.

The application has also prompted a number of supporting comments from locals, however, who say the scheme would provide desperately needed homes for working families.

Of the 35 comments so far received by New Forest District Council, 14 are in favour.

In a statement to the A&T, PALLS said: “This planning application confirms our worst fears.

"Despite promises that these ancient lanes would be preserved, this development would culvert ditches and tarmac over sections of the green verges of Ridgeway Lane to create passing places for extra cars, vans and lorries.

"These are rural lanes – their charm lies in their natural verges and tree-lined edges."

In the summer, a public consultation received 151 responses from local residents.

The principal issues were highway safety and increased traffic on roads which are narrow, without pavements and bordered by ditches.

Cicero said it had "taken on board" the concerns of residents following the public consultation by making “minor modifications” to the arrangement of green space and reviewing boundaries to neighbouring properties.

But PALLS claimed the developer has "barely tweaked" its plans in response to the points raised.

More positive comments submitted to NFDC in the last week said the development will provide much-needed housing for families that will "surely be the lifeblood of this town".

The site would have a good balance of open green space, said some locals, and be just a "stone's throw" away from amenities like school and parks.

One Lymington resident said: "Family homes for local working people are in very short supply in the New Forest region and unaffordable to most families working in the service industry, like nurses and teachers, dustmen and bus drivers to name just a few.

"This development is beautifully set out, with communal play and meeting places, and is sympathetic to the rural area.

The site forms the majority of Strategic Site 6 in NFDC’s Local Plan – a keystone document which lists 18 major sites for development with thousands of homes until 2036.

The eight-hectare plot, which on the east side adjoins Oakhaven Hospice, is allocated for at least 100 homes.

Cicero stated in its application that its site excludes the “modest parcel at its north-west, which will be brought forward at a later date by another party” and which it has “had regard to”.

Following a request from PALLS, Lymington & Pennington Town Council is to hold a public meeting to discuss the application, although a date has yet to be confirmed.

Cicero Estates was contacted by the A&T for a comment.