Residents slam planned double yellow lines during Pennyfarthing Homes’ building work on Compton Road in New Milton
ANGRY residents of a New Milton road have slammed a developer’s “disgraceful” plan to stop on-street parking for up to 18 months.
Pennyfarthing Homes is set to add “temporary” double yellow lines along 80 metres of Compton Road, from its junction with Hobart Road, while work is carried out on the site of the former A&T offices.
This is to allow “safe access and egress” by large vehicles, including cranes.
The restrictions will be in place seven days a week from 7am to 6pm, starting from Tuesday – and furious home owners have complained about a lack of consultation.
One said it will cost the jobs of two Ukrainian residents living with him, and other concerns include the effect on deliveries of medication.
Pennyfarthing has responded, stressing the health and safety reasons for the restriction but promised to review it.
It was given New Forest District Council permission to convert the main office block at 31-33 Compton Road into 10 apartments.
A workshop building to the rear and the building fronting onto 62 Old Milton Road have been demolished and will be replaced with seven homes and a three-storey block of six apartments.
Residents were informed of the impending restriction by Pennyfarthing letters, dated 10th July, posted through their doors.
These were accompanied by an unheaded sheet detailing the Hampshire County Council traffic order with a start date of 23rd June.
Allan Scott was among those who wrote letters of complaint to the town council and Pennyfarthing.
He suggested that instead cones be placed a metre from each side of the site for work vehicle movements.
His main concern was for the impact on a Ukrainian family he is housing during the ongoing Russian invasion.
Mr Scott has provided them with two cars, which they park on-street as there is no space on the driveway.
“If these double yellow lines come in, I’ll have to sell the cars and they’ll lose their jobs, which are reliant on them having cars,” he said.
“I think it’s disgraceful that there was no consultation. This family fled a warzone, but they are suffering now more than when they first came here.
“When I told them of the parking situation there were floods of tears. One of them was saying she’ll have to go back, but there’s nothing to go back to.”
Neighbour Jean Horlock was astonished the double yellow lines were planned when no such restriction was put in place when the office block was built.
“If they [the contractors] knew there was a lorry and someone’s car was parked in the way, they would come along and say, ‘Could you move your car?’, and we just bumbled along,” she said.
“The thing is, they’re not working seven days a week, 24 hours a day, so why do they need no parking seven days a week?”
As well as disruption to residents further up the street by vehicles parking there instead, Mr Scott was concerned access in and out of drives would be affected.
“When they’re building you expect some disruption, but not to take out the street for 18 months,” he added.
Mrs Horlock, who is moving after nearly 40 years in the street, also feared the restriction would put off potential buyers.
Both residents also questioned why the vehicle movements couldn’t move to the Old Milton Road side, which is much wider.
Paul King, who has lived on the street for seven years, told the A&T he was “disgusted” with the situation.
“They’ve kind of just forced it upon us,” he said. “I didn’t believe they did this sort of thing with building sites.”
One resident, who has rheumatoid arthritis and other health issues, feared for the impact on delivery of vital medication that must be kept refrigerated.
“A lady from the council said this wouldn’t be a problem, but I’m not 100% convinced,” said the 76-year-old, who wanted to remain anonymous. My understanding is you’re not meant to stop on double yellow lines.”
Craig and Emily Howcroft, along with neighbour Amanda Hobby, who live the opposite end of Compton Road, feared the restriction would exacerbate existing problems with inconsiderate on-street parking.
“This will have a knock-on effect with us in terms of parking, and people overhanging our driveway,” Mrs Howcroft said.
“It would have been better to have had a consultation, so we could understand what they need to do.
“They should just be considerate of the residents. This is a mixed business and residential road, but we live here and think we should be considered with a development of that size.”
Several of the residents were also sceptical that the double yellow lines would be removed after 18 months and not become permanent.
A recent town council planning committee meeting saw members frustrated they were not made aware before being alerted by “understandably upset” residents.
Cllr Steve Davies wrote to Pennyfarthing requesting the hours be reconsidered to allow residents to park outside their properties overnight.
Committee chair Cllr Steve Clarke requested Hampshire Highways be contacted regarding the lack of consultation to the town council and minimal notice to residents.
Responding to the criticism, a Pennyfarthing Homes spokesperson said: “The health and safety of the local community is paramount to us.
“With the movement of large vehicles, including cranes, on and off-site, we have collaborated with the local highway authority to ensure the safest possible resolution.
“We have carefully listened to residents’ concerns and the proposal is currently under review.”
