Eastleigh councillors will decide on plans for 1,100 homes at North Stoneham Park

The 1,100-home development on the outskirts of Eastleigh will come before committee members today, who will then decide whether to give it the green light.

A report has recommended approval of the plans that provoked nearly 150 residents’ objections, but with 45 conditions.

The North Stoneham Park complex, put forward by developer Highwood, would also house a new primary school, nursery and care home on the site south of Chestnut Avenue, near to junction five of the M27.

There would also be a community centre, shops and play facilities, while Lakeside Country Park would be extended.

The historic North Stoneham Park started as a medieval deer park, but was then developed as a designed landscape in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

The proposed site forms part of the original estate.

An artist's impression of the development

Eastleigh Borough Council, which owns the site, alongside Highwood and the county council, has earmarked the site south of Chestnut Avenue for housing for several years.

However, the plans for the 84-hectare site have proved controversial, with 145 letters of objection to the proposals in contrast to two letters of support.

Residents have raised concern over the impact on traffic and air pollution, loss of a historic park and of a countryside gap between communities, loss of recreational and walking areas and say that it is over-development and out of character.

They have also raised fears some historic park land and playing pitches would be built over, but Highwood Group has said it will create a new home for AFC Stoneham on land south of junction five of the M27.

New football, rugby and other sporting facilities would also be built at Trojans Sports Club in Stoneham Lane, as part of a separate planning application.

The developer has said key features of the site, such as Avenue Park and The Shrine, would be preserved and enhanced as part of public open space.

Highwood has also said that the development will combine the character of the landscape and history of the site with a good design and provide much-needed housing supported by infrastructure.

A council officer’s report ahead of the meeting recommends granting outline planning permission, but with 45 conditions.

It concluded that the edge of town location, varied use of the site and new cycleways and footpaths meant the site was sustainable, would provide employment and needed housing and this outweighed any negative impact such as loss of countryside and historic landscape.

Councillors will decide on the plans at Eastleigh College today at 7pm.