NFDC gives Pennyfarthing Homes green light to build 112 new homes north of Fordingbridge

MORE than 400 new homes are set to be built near Fordingbridge after councillors gave permission for the first stage of a major housing scheme.

Despite opposition from local residents and Fordingbridge Town Council, NFDC’s planning committee gave Pennyfarthing Homes the green light to build on 35 hectares of agricultural land east of Salisbury Street in Burgate.

Councillors did raise concerns over community infrastructure and flooding, and warned the development could contribute to the town’s population growing by 50% over the next 10 years.

The application included proposals for 112 new homes, plus outline plans for a further 292 homes – the details of which will be decided under future applications.

The housing development will include a link road to the A338, funded by Pennyfarthing, along with public open spaces and a “community hub” offering retail and office space and room for community recreation.

Opposing the scheme, Fordingbridge town councillor Paul Anstey told the committee there are “a lot of strong objections”.

He also pointed out that just 20% of the 404 homes will be affordable, falling well short of NFDC’s preference for 50%.

NFDC received 50 letters of objection from locals, opposed to what they see as overdevelopment.

Cllr Maureen Holding told committee members: “I feel very strongly, along with a lot of local people, that if this goes ahead it won’t be Fordingbridge village any more – it will become Fordingbridge town.

“It worries me that we’re not putting the necessary infrastructure in first. People will have to go quite some distance to access services.”

She added: “It’s a beautiful village that won’t be a village any more but the officers consider it’s the best that can be achieved in the area.”

Cllr Malcolm Wade said: “If we put housing there it will change Fordingbridge, that’s an inescapable fact. But what really worries me is this infrastructure issue.

“We always put the cart before the horse and the infrastructure won’t be in place for some time.”

The committee was also told Wessex Water has not yet agreed to install a second water pump at the site and was asking for further proof it will be needed.

Cllr David Hawkins said: “They should be made to supply it – they shouldn’t turn around and say ‘we don’t want to do that’.”

Planning officers told the committee the town has a population of just over 5,000 and the development would contribute to projections that the population will increase by half that amount over the next decade.

Officers recommended councillors grant permission for the scheme subject to numerous conditions, including the contribution by Pennyfarthing Homes of £2,536,799 towards the expansion of Fordingbridge Infant and Junior schools.

Other conditions include the contribution of £410,000 to improve the local bus service and footpaths, and provide and maintain play areas and open spaces for recreation.

But chief planning officer Claire Upton-Brown said that giving the scheme the go-ahead will not mean Fordingbridge’s population “doubles overnight”, adding that the increase will happen “gradually”.

The council’s own ecology officer and environmental design team have given their support to the scheme.