Letters: Fawley power station redevelopment to benefit whole community

SIR - I would like to refer to the letter from Richard Tamplin and Colin Thompson, querying the replacement of Fawley power station by 1,500 homes plus commercial businesses and other works.

In my view such development will benefit the whole community, provide much needed housing and be a great improvement on its former use.

The plans have generally been well received by the general public, New Forest District Council and the national park authority.

The New Forest area is supposed to make provision for an additional 20,000 dwellings and the NPA 600 dwellings over 10 years or so, and as I understand it, despite the best efforts of NFDC and NPA we are at present nowhere near achieving this.

Ultimately, this could lead to government intervention to meet this target whether we like it or not.

It is well understood that the present road and other infrastructure, i.e. the provision of schools and shops, will have to be reviewed.

I am sure that planning officers are experienced in judging the height, quality and number of dwellings appropriate for this former industrial site.

There are appeal processes which can be sought if required, including the possibility that a government minister could call in this scheme for his final decision if it were to be considered necessary.

No doubt a general overall plan can be approved in principle, and detailed examination and construction may best be carried out in phases over a number of years.

It is regrettable that some part of the national park will have to be given over to housing development, but needs must.

Robert Wolton, Bransgore