Developer rejects residents' claim land for 38 homes would be 'left empty'
A HOUSEBUILDER which secured permission for 38 more homes as part of a wider development in Christchurch has rejected claims by residents who believed the land was to be left as open space.
Hoburne Developments has been given approval by BCP Council for outline plans to construct the new properties as the final phase of the Hoburne Farm Estate, south of the A35 Lyndhurst Road.
The company said leaflets outlining plans for phase 9 were delivered to residents on the estate in 2017.
But the news has angered some who said in objections to BCP Council they were “led to believe” the green area was going to be left as it is.
One said: “Many people chose this estate because of the open spaces which makes it a pleasure to live here.
“But in the last couple of years, houses seem to be crammed in and open spaces forgotten about.”
Forty-four people signed a petition against the scheme on four hectares of what is currently grass and scrubland.
The company said 40% of the homes will be affordable housing, which has also angered some estate residents who claim they were told no such provision would be made on it.
One letter of objection said: “Building more homes will have an adverse effect on the general wellbeing of existing residents on this estate. It will cause excessive noise and traffic.”
Some people living on the estate said there was no need for phase 9 to be built as a plan to erect 875 houses north of the A35 Lyndhurst Road, which the estate borders, has already been given the go-ahead.
One man claimed: “I purchased my property in December 2016 on the strength that no further properties would be built behind for a minimum of seven years – and less than one year later an application had been submitted.”
In a statement to the A&T, a spokesperson for Hoburne said the plans had been flagged as far back as 2017 with a public consultation giving people the opportunity for feedback
It went on: “Subsequently, planning approval was granted and at no point has the business stated that we would not build in that area.
“As requested by the local authority, we have allowed for green space in the plans and the highways department would have been consulted on traffic matters during the application process. The final designs, including external materials for the properties, are still to be agreed.”
Hoburne said that although plans have not been finalised for phase 9, it envisaged a mix of eight one-bedroom flats and eight two-bedroom, plus 15 three-bedroom houses and seven four-bedroom. Final details will be submitted to BCP Council later.
