Developers unveil plans for nearly 100 homes on fields outside town

PLANS have been unveiled to create a neighbourhood of nearly 100 homes on the edge of Fordingbridge.

The scheme would include a village hall and play area on what is currently grazing land at St John’s Farm, south of Stuckton Road to the south-east of the town.

The proposals for 78 homes and 20 retirement flats were set out in pre-application documents submitted to New Forest District Council by applicants Mr and Mrs Weldon.

It said: “Although located very close to the centre of Fordingbridge, this development will have its own identity and will have a feeling of self-sustainability.”

The main vehicle way in to the 4.9-hectare site would be from the B3078, it explained, but said it was within walking distance of the town centre.

The document went on: “The access will not interrupt the flow of the A338 and will not involve traffic entering the town centre.”

Initial designs show a layout with four main areas of homes separated by two crisscrossing internal roads.

It pointed out: “Mature banks of trees screen the majority of the south and east of the site from distant views.”

The plans are not a full submission but instead request formal advice from NFDC on whether a costly environmental assessment is required, due to potential increases in visitors to protected areas of the New Forest.

The document argued that any potential harm to the New Forest or River Avon area could be mitigated with measures included as part of the ultimate plans.

NFDC is set to respond later this month, with an outline planning application expected to follow from Mr and Mrs Weldon soon afterwards.

The scheme is the latest development proposed for Fordingbridge which is set to take 820 new homes on three major sites, under NFDC’s draft Local Plan setting out construction policies outside the national park until 2036.