Plans for self-build starter homes on former turkey farm spark outrage in Hordle

A PLAN to allow six “self-build” starter homes on the site of a former turkey farm in the greenbelt has sparked objections in Hordle.

Merryfield Homes wants to sell plots of land for people to create their own properties in a field behind 9-23 Sky End Lane.

The company argued that as there has been a turkey farm on the site since 1963, the area has already been developed and, under national and local planning policy, should now be permitted for housing.

Jon Baldwin, director of Portsmouth-based Merryfield Homes, said: “This is a brownfield site as it has previously been developed. Plots of land will be sold for self-build homes.

"The restrictions on houses built there will be that they have to be the same ridge height as the barns in existence and roughly have the same footprint.”

There have been 16 letters of objection to the plan with only one in favour, which said: "Hordle is in definite need of more affordable housing."

But one Sky End Lane resident complained: “This land is now a haven for wildlife – bats, owls, deer and a great deal of birdlife. We have lived here for 15 years, and they have always been there.

"We moved here for the peace and quiet it offered us, and building work would create a great deal of noise and disruption and loss of privacy.”

Another said: “ [When] I bought my house the area behind it was stated as greenbelt and it should remain as such as it is full of wildlife.”

The scheme has been submitted in outline to New Forest District Council which is set to make a decision by 3rd February after the deadline for public comments on 7th January.