NEARLY 50 houses could be built close to a controversial new 275-home estate already planned for countryside surrounding a Hampshire market town.

Developers have lodged a proposal to create 46 new homes off Braishfield Road in Abbotsford, near Romsey, bordering land earmarked for Ganger Farm development.

As reported, the 275-home scheme – which includes a new pavilion and sports facilities – was ratified by councillors earlier this year following long-running negotiations.

Critics claimed the development would “significantly reduce” the green gap between Romsey and Ampfield, but sports groups in the area claimed the new facilities including sports pitches and changing facilities are much needed in the area.

The new application is submitted by a different developer, Aaron Wright.

Full details and designs have yet to emerge as it an outline application – although it proposes a new access road via Braishfield Road.

Councillors have been invited to a briefing at the 1.78-hectare site before the bid goes before Test Valley Borough Council’s southern area planning committee on Tuesday, September 20.

Test Valley Borough Council representative for Romsey Extra ward, Cllr Ian Hibberd, who had previously backed Ganger Farm, said it was too early to determine the extent of the new development.

He added: “We need to look at the size and the design of the development. In principle development could take place there as it is in a development area, but we need to look at the impact on Braishfield Road.”

Romsey Extra Parish Council chairman Chris Wesson said the group has not objected to the plans.

He added that he hoped there would be sufficient amount of affordable housing within the scheme.