Development of 19 affordable homes in Fawley approved by New Forest District Council

A DEVELOPMENT of 19 affordable homes can be built in Fawley after New Forest District Council gave planning permission.

Reflect Homes Ltd applied for Gang Warily Farm in Newlands Road to create 10 homes and nine flats.

The properties will be a mixture of one, two and three-bedrooms and will be owned and managed by Sovereign Housing Association.

The site, which is partly used for horse paddocks, also has an existing detached property which will be demolished. Thirty-three parking spaces will be provided.

A report to the council's planning committee recommended the proposal for approval.

It said: "The scheme provides a mix of houses and flats and sizes, providing for a mixed and balanced community and providing for a variety of needs.

"It has social benefits of delivering a mix of affordable housing, meeting identified housing need in the parish."

The application received five objections from locals who raised concerns over the impact on residents, biodiversity and ecology, plus overdevelopment, a lack of parking and increased congestion.

Fawley Parish Council also said it felt it was overdevelopment and recommended refusal.

Cllr Sue Bennison told the meeting she supported the scheme and added she had not heard of any similar schemes that offered 100% affordable housing, which she called "pretty unique".

She added: "I think this will provide quite a pleasant place to live. I think a lot of thought has gone in to this and it is a nice development."

The application was unanimously approved by the planning committee.