New Forest District Council's planning committee urged to approve plans for 164 homes in New Milton after previous deferral

COUNCILLORS will be advised to approve plans for 164 new homes in New Milton when they meet next week after previously putting off a decision over highway concerns.

New Forest District Council's planning committee last debated the application by Pennyfarthing Homes for the site off Brockhills Lane in December.

They were advised to give the go-ahead then too, but deferred judgement for further discussions over safe crossing points for pedestrians.

Now a new report has rejected highway safety concerns, one of the major issues for local residents who say the roads are too narrow and dangerous for so many houses.

NFDC has received more than 380 letters of objection as well as a petition with 114 signatures opposing the development.

The report to the planning committee, which will meet next Wednesday, again recommended the application be approved.

It said: "Whilst the concerns are fully understood, ultimately the committee's decision is one based on a technical matter relating to highway safety.

"The access strategy for the development of the site accords with [Local Plan policy]. The committee must therefore give significant weight to the professional advice received from the highway authority.

"Officers continue to maintain that the proposed development would not have an unacceptable impact on highway safety or a severe impact on the local highway network, and can therefore see no good reason to amend the original recommendation, which is to grant planning permission."

The 96-hectare site is currently used for grazing but if approved could be developed with a mix of houses, apartments and bungalows ranging from one to four bedrooms.

Half of the accommodation would be allocated as "affordable".

The land is earmarked in New Forest District Council's Local Plan for at least 130 homes.

Concerns have also been raised by residents over the loss of greenbelt, impact on infrastructure, the layout and design.

Two letters of support praised the allocation of affordable properties.

New Milton Town Council has objected to the application on the grounds it is overdevelopment.

Its planning committee is meeting again tonight (Tuesday) at 6.30pm at the town hall to discuss the proposals.