New homes controversy: council will decide today (From Daily Echo)

D-Day for controversial Sarisbury Green homes plan

11:29am Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in News By Bethan Phillips, Reporter

A CRUNCH meeting on controversial plans to build more than 160 homes at a former hospital site takes place today.

The proposals include building a swimming pool, allotments, new sports pitches and transforming a derelict stately home into a hotel at Coldeast, in Sarisbury Green.

A total of 168 new homes would be built, along with 40 sheltered accommodation flats.

The plans have attracted more than 50 letters of objection, with issues raised including the loss of green space, impact on wildlife and the effect it will have on overcongested roads and local services.

Rachel Allinson, who is chairman of Coldeast Action Group and lives in nearby Brookfield Gardens, said: “Brookfield School is already full and the roads are going to be a nightmare – I’ve counted 50 cars in the queue trying to get out on to the A27 from Brook Lane, which is where these households are going to be coming out to.”

The area was the site of an NHS hospital that closed in 2005.

Developers Miller Homes have already built 160 new homes on the site and are now applying for full permission for the second phase of the development.

They are also applying for outline planning permission for sports pitches, a community pavilion, allotments, a cemetery and a swimming pool.

The Georgian manor at the centre of the site, known as the Manor House, could also be made into a 27-room hotel with function rooms and a “ceremony room”.

Fareham Borough Council’s planning committee will make a decision on the plans at a meeting this afternoon at 2.30pm at the civic offices in Fareham.