Pennyfarthing Homes’ new plans for Milford Manor Road development

REVISED plans to develop former greenbelt land in Milford with 170 homes have been submitted.

The Manor Road scheme, which amends Pennyfarthing Homes’ previous plans for 190 homes, has already prompted dozens of new objections from residents, with a campaign group claiming it is “unfair” and “disrespectful” to give people just two weeks to comment.

Speaking at a meeting of Milford Parish Council, resident Gill Watson revealed that the latest deadline for public comments had been extended by NFDC until 4th December.

She said: “We are alarmed that given all the revised documents that have been loaded on the planning portal today, the public is only being given two weeks to read and add further comments onto the portal.

“We don’t believe it gives us enough time to fully scrutinise the documents and organise another public meeting.”

“It feels unfair and disrespectful to the local community. The developer has been given months to revise their proposal, but then residents get only two weeks to comment in the run-up to Christmas when everyone is busy.”

As reported, around 350 Milford residents packed a public meeting at the village community centre in September to oppose the previous scheme for 190 homes on fields adjacent to Manor Road.

The controversial application has also prompted the creation of campaign group Milford Residents for Sustainable Development (MRSD) which is calling for the development to be reduced to no more than 110 homes as set out in the Local Plan. They also want to see a proposal for three access roads into the site reduced to one.

The latest amendment to the outline planning application has seen density reduced from 190 homes down to 170, with a range of one to five-bedroom affordable and market dwellings proposed across the 11.9 hectare site.

Setting out details of the updated scheme, Pennyfarthing’s agent said: “The technical reports accompanying this planning application have proven that there is a robust justification for the dwellings figure resulting from the extensive design process.”

The reduction in 20 units means the density of the overall site has been reduced to 28.9 dwellings per hectare from a previous figure of 32.

The letter continues: “The maximum height of the development has also been reduced to predominantly two-storey with a small number of two-and-a-half storey ‘feature buildings’ at key visual areas of the site.”

Pennyfarthing Homes land and planning director Ben Arnold said: “Following feedback and consideration of consultee comments and those of the public, we have amended the scheme and reduced it to ‘up to 170’ new homes.”

“We have indicated a mix of size and types of homes that could be accommodated, including up to 85 affordable homes.”

“The scheme will also deliver the council’s requirement for 15.5 acres of new public open spaces and landscaping, and will deliver new traffic lights and junction works on the A337 Lymington Road junction, at Everton.’”

Details of the updated outline planning application are available on the NFDC website with comments from the public accepted until Monday 4th December. The application is set to be decided by 22nd December.