Plans for 10 new homes approved on former coal yard in Hordle greenbelt
A FORMER coal yard in the greenbelt at Hordle finally looks set to be redeveloped after New Forest District Council gave the go-ahead for 10 new homes.
The 0.4-hectare site, off Vicarage Lane, has not been used as a coal yard for many years and has been the subject of several planning applications for business units and homes over the last decade.
In 2014, planning permission was granted for it to be redeveloped with 14 business units, but later attempts to use the site for housing were rejected.
Now plans to redevelop the brownfield footprint of the former coal yard and buildings with a mixture of detached and semi-detached homes and two garages, have been approved.
NFDC planners decided the scheme will not cause greater harm to the greenbelt than the previous coal yard use or the scheme for business units.
There were three objections from residents, as well as the parish council – although members agreed to accept the planning officers’ decision.
The site is within a wider area of greenbelt which recently lost its protected status after being identified in NFDC’s Local Plan setting out development policies for more than 10,000 homes outside the national park until 2036.
Planning officer Jim Bennett said: “Economic, environmental and social benefits would also result from the provision of new housing on this site in the form of construction jobs, local housing provision and enhancing the sustainability of Hordle as community and service hub.”
He noted in a planning report that the approved scheme had been amended to address concerns raised by officers and consultees.
Mr Bennett added: “Alterations have been made to the elevations to introduce chimneys to all units to give visual interest associated with articulation of form above rooflines. Brick wall boundary treatments would also be provided in all public realm facing situations.”
He concluded: “On balance, the amended plans and supporting documents have demonstrated that the proposal would not impact significantly or harmfully upon the character of the area or countryside, in accordance with adopted policy.”
