Developer drawing up plans for 250 homes on the edge of Fordingbridge
PLANS are being drawn up by a developer to build up to 250 homes on fields on the edge of Fordingbridge.
If eventually approved by New Forest District Council, they would be constructed by applicant Infinite Homes on 17 hectares of grazing land north of Station Road, between the town and the neighbouring village of Ashford.
The scheme, which has not yet been formally submitted, involves 110 properties more than the 140 allocated for the site by NFDC’s draft Local Plan. It contains development policy outside the national park until 2036 and is set to be approved later this year.
The scale of building was a concern for deputy mayor Cllr Edward Hale who said the town council had objected to NFDC allocating the site for homes, due to its poor road links and extra traffic.
Cllr Hale said: “The town council has not yet been asked to submit comments on a developer’s proposal for 240 homes on this land, but councillors have been surprised that the developer is moving forward on this when the land is not currently designated for any housing at all.
“Based on the previous concerns about development on this land, it is likely that the town council will object to the latest proposals.”
The details were laid out in a pre-application enquiry to NFDC about the level of environmental assessment required as part of the main submission later.
It said the development would range up to two-and-a-half storeys in height and comprise a mix of terraced, semi-detached and detached houses, plus some flats.
The homes would surround the existing Allenbrook Nursing Home which would not form part of the plans, said documents.
It conceded that parts of the plot next to Allen Water were in the most risky Flood Zones 2 and 3 but the homes would be limited to seven hectares of the least risky Flood Zone 1. Public open space would take up the rest of the site.
Vehicle access would be via a new entrance off Station Road with emergency access off an existing link from the same route. Pedestrian and cycle routes would also be constructed within the site.
A spokesperson for Infinite Homes said: “The final details of the proposals are still being worked through but the council’s initial response has been supportive of a higher number of much-needed new dwellings on the site subject to appropriate design and landscaping providing a suitable setting.”
Infinite Homes will hold a consultation event with more details on Wednesday 27th February from 2.30pm-8pm in St Mary’s Church Hall in Church Street, Fordingbridge. NFDC was due to have given a response to the scoping enquiry this week.
