New Forest District Council set to approve 82-home development at Lower Pennington Lane amid claims of ‘significant’ impact on nearby Oakhaven Hospice

An 82-home scheme is set to be approved in Pennington despite hundreds of objections, including from a nearby hospice which claims there will be “significant long-term complications” as a result.

Nearly 350 objections were received to plans for the homes off Lower Pennington Lane – among them from the town council, New Forest West MP Sir Desmond Swayne, a campaign group and Oakhaven Hospice, which would border the development. There were also over 50 letters in support.

In a letter, Oakhaven stated: “The decisions made in relation to this application will have significant long-term implications for the hospice long after the applicant, their representative and the local planning authority no longer have any interest in this scheme.

“These implications will have significant impact on the local community and the services provided by the hospice for them.”

Developer Cicero Estates wants to build a mixture of two, three and four-bed homes – 41 of which would be ‘affordable’ – on the agricultural land, and New Forest District Council planning officers have recommended permission be granted. The planning committee will make a decision when it meets next Wednesday.

Concerns from locals include highway safety and increased traffic on roads which are described as narrow, without pavements and bordered by ditches.

There were also fears that any widening or straightening of Lower Pennington Lane or Ridgeway Lane would impact the rural character of the area.

Residents also felt the homes would not meet the needs of young people and families, and would impact adversely on wildlife and increase the risk of flooding in neighbouring properties.

Lymington and Pennington Town Council was concerned about the impact on Oakhaven, the “cramped” social housing, the risk of local roads becoming a rat run, and the loss of protected trees.

Some positive comments were received, however, with residents pleased the development would bring “much-needed investment in local infrastructure” and affordable homes.

Others believed the homes would encourage young people into the area and support local businesses.

The site forms the majority of Strategic Site 6 in NFDC’s Local Plan – a keystone document which lists 18 sites for development with thousands of houses until 2036. The eight-hectare plot is allocated for at least 100 homes.

Sir Desmond Swayne MP said he feared a seven-metre buffer strip between the hospice and the development could become “victim to the ills of our modern age: vandalism, drug-taking, noise, flytipping, litter, etc, close to the wards where there are sick and dying patients”.

In his objection letter he stated: “I believe NFDC is able to recognise Oakhaven as a special community asset and insist on [an] agreement… with a transfer of the buffer strip to Oakhaven as previously agreed.”

Local residents’ group Pennington and Lymington Lane Society (Palls) has urged its members to attend the meeting and air their objections.

It says the plans would result in the further urbanisation and environmental degradation of the lanes through the loss of verges, culverting of ditches and significant loss of vegetation including mature trees. In an objection submitted to NFDC it added: “There are still multiple errors, inaccuracies, inconsistencies and misrepresentation within the documentation, and we consider that the applicant continues to try to obfuscate and confuse rather than provide a clear and honest representation of their proposals.”

Palls chair Bruce Tindall told the A&T the recommendation for approval was “very disappointing”, adding: “It would appear NFDC aren’t paying any attention to local concerns. The concerns aren’t about affordable housing – we’re presented as nimbys – but it is the effect on the lanes and the national park.

“If this development proceeds, it will ruin it for future generations.”

A report to the planning committee recommending approval states: “There is a clear identified need for both open market and affordable housing of all sizes in the district. Essentially, there is nothing in front of NFDC officers which would clearly demonstrate that the availability of land suitable for housing has significantly changed since the adoption of the Local Plan in July 2020.

“Any harm arising to Oakhaven Hospice as a non-designated heritage asset is considered to be at the lower end of the scale and is outweighed by the positive benefits of the proposal.”

Due to part of the site being within the national park boundary, an application for permission to create a new access on land between Lower Pennington Lane and Ridgeway Lane has been submitted to the NPA and is expected to be discussed at its meeting on 15th April.