Developer back with new pub housing plan after 'sardines tin' rejection

A NEW bid to build homes on derelict land behind the Grade II listed White Horse pub in Milford has been submitted to New Forest District Council.

Bayview Developments has submitted a reduced scheme to develop land to rear of the White Horse pub in Keyhaven Road with three four-bedroom homes.

The developer has previously seen a scheme for four houses, with access from Grebe Close, rejected by the district council’s planning committee in July, with members branding the scheme cramped and unneighbourly.

Speaking at the time, Cllr David Harrison said: “This reminds me of sardines in a tin. There’s no room to move, no obvious room and no room to park cars.”

The planning committee also opposed the proposed access off Grebe Close – which was described as narrow, often full of parked cars and had no pavements.

Bayview has now returned with a revised scheme for three houses which will be accessed from Keyhaven Road. Referring to the previous plans, the new application points out that the council did not raise any objection to the principle of redeveloping the site.

A design-and-access statement accompanying the proposal states: “The application site comprises a rare piece of previously developed brownfield land within the existing settlement boundary.

“The scheme will redevelop a disused parcel of land in the midst of the urban area and make a substantial positive contribution to local visual amenity and the character of the area, and also proposes the public benefit of a new footway link from Glebe Close through to Keyhaven Road, encouraging sustainable movements to the village core.”

It adds: “The proposals seek to provide three detached four-bedroomed dwelling houses set over two storeys; with the accommodation at first-floor level set into the roof space. The dwellings, as a result, are able to stand lower to their eaves and ridge than the surrounding pattern of residential development.”

"The applicant considers that the scheme now before the council fully addresses its previous concerns in respect of a perception that the land to the rear of White Horse Inn appeared cramped and congested.”

An initial briefing note from planning officers at NFDC acknowledges that the new plans appear to overcome the previous reasons for refusal. It states: “The main changes entail access now gained from the existing access onto Keyhaven Road.

“The application has also been amended in that the number of dwellings has been reduced from four to three, together with changes to the layout. The reduction in the number of dwellings has resulted in more soft landscaping throughout the site, larger plot sizes and generally are less intensive and cramped layout.”

However, neighbours from Grebe Close have continued to object to the scheme, with one stating: “The appearance of the proposed dwellings are not in keeping with the surrounding properties. The tin roof structures make the houses resemble barns.”

Another said: “The previous application was refused on the grounds of over development – this does not appear to have been addressed. The number of properties has been reduced from four to three, however, the number of bedrooms has only been reduced by two.”

The application is set to be decided by 15th October.