PLANS to build 300 homes in North Baddesley have finally been approved after a two-year wait.

Residents and councillors had objected to the plans, on Hoe Lane, citing traffic issues and access from the single-track lane.

Despite concerns, community leaders at the Test Valley Borough Council southern area planning control committee approved the application after the developers, The Ashfield Partnership, agreed to more passing places.

The development on the road was initially established when the borough's local plan was approved by a government inspector in 2016, though North Baddesley councillors managed to reduce the number on the site from 500 down to 300.

The application then came before the southern area planning committee in January 2018, and has been turned down and deferred a number of times since, with issues also being raised about the junction on the A3057, which had been judged to be at 50 per cent capacity.

On Tuesday night, bosses decided to approve the application, after concessions were made to increase the number of passing places along Hoe Lane, which will be reduced from a 60mph road, to 30mph.

The A3057 junction will also have a flashing sign to warn drivers of the junction.

Councillor Celia Dowden said: "The issue was always about accommodating this development within the local infrastructure.

"The crossroads and Castle Lane lights are at full capacity and cannot be improved. The dilemma is that this is a single track rural lane with ancient hedgerows and trees which we would not wish to destroy.

"An increase from seven to 21 passing places and widened areas is the best we could have achieved. If it was deferred again it would have gone to appeal on the first application and been given permission with costs awarded against the council."

Cllr Alan Dowden added: "We have achieved a great result and it's thanks to the work of councillors and those who spoke up in the community. The A3057 junction will have signs and they will trim the growth back to increase visibility."

The next stage is the reserved matters full application, that will go into further detail of the development.

Planning portfolio holder and deputy leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Nick Adams-King said: "I'm really pleased that we were able to talk to the applicants and they brought forward a much more acceptable scheme.

"It enables us to go go forward with the best possible access that could have been achieved.

"It certainly makes it much safer and easier for residents."

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