New Forest District Council set to approve application by Pennyfarthing for hundreds of new homes in Fordingbridge despite local opposition
NEW Forest District Council looks set to give the green light to a developer to build more than 400 new homes in Fordingbridge despite local opposition to the plans.
As reported in the A&T, Pennyfarthing Homes wants to develop around 32 hectares of agricultural land west of Salisbury Street in Burgate.
It has submitted a hybrid planning application to New Forest District Council for 404 homes.
The first part of the application full permission for 112 homes.
The second part is for outline permission for residential development of a further 292 homes as well as a community hub including local food and non-food retail, community and business use on land which forms part of a wider site allocated for homes by NFDC in its Local Plan.
The application is due to be discussed at the council's planning committee on Wednesday.
A report to members recommends the application is approved and states: "The loss of the attractive greenfield site will undoubtedly change and have an impact on local character but this must be balanced against allocation of the site and the aspirations to deliver new housing including an element of affordable housing."
The report adds the quantity of affordable house "is still to be resolved" and states the recommendation to approve will need to be subject to an acceptable affordable housing offer being made.
It adds the development as a whole brings significant benefits including the early delivery of a new road link to A338 and new junctions to alleviate traffic from the town as well as a contribution to directly benefit Fordingbridge primary school.
Fordingbridge Town Council, which is against the development, recently held a meeting attended by residents to discuss the plans.
Locals raised concerns about flooding issues, noise, the location of the proposed roundabout being too close to a resident's garden and the impact on schools.
There have also been 50 letters of objection sent to the district council with concerns raised over the impact on the character of Fordingbridge, the loss of green fields and the effect on already struggling services.