At loggerheads over plans for 1,400 new homes (From Daily Echo)

At loggerheads over plans for 1,400 new homes at Boorley Green

10:30am Thursday 18th October 2012 in News By Bethan Phillips, Reporter

Artist's impression of a housing estate at Boorley Green

IT is a plan that developers say will boost services and the economy – while campaigners warn it will rip a community apart.

Controversial proposals to build 1,400 new homes on a Hampshire golf course have now been submitted to council chiefs.

If permission is granted it would mean a new primary school, community hall, pub, supermarket, allotments and sports pitches could be built alongside the new homes at Boorley Green near Botley.

The Botley Park Hotel, which will close its 18-hole golf course to make way for the new community, is also planning a big extension – adding 44 new bedrooms, a 25-metre swimming pool and gym.

The hotel says the extension alone would create 20 new jobs in the community.

Put forward by a consortium of developers and landowners including hotel owners Macdonald Hotels, the development could also help to fund a bypass at Sundays Hill, Bursledon.

The same group of businesses, barring Macdonald Hotels, are also hoping to build 250 new homes near Pylands Lane in Bursledon.

The planning permission for the new road at Sunday’s Hill has been submitted with the application to Eastleigh Borough Council.

But the plans have met with opposition from local residents and groups in both Boorley Green and Bursledon.

They first appeared in Eastleigh Borough Council’s Draft Local Plan, which will be examined by an independent planning inspector next spring.

Campaigners have criticised the developers for putting in a planning application before the inspector has made a decision on the proposals.

Botley Parish Action Group has also argued that the development will cut Boorley Green off from nearby Botley – dividing the two communities.

Chairman Sue Grinham said: “They are attempting to push this development through without providing the inspector with the opportunity to review the strong evidence against the selection of this site, and in direct and flagrant disregard for the population of Botley who do not support this level of housing.

“This site will rip the community apart.”

Meanwhile, at Pylands Lane residents have raised concern about the loss of ancient woodland and Hampshire Scouts have said their Cricket Camp near Manor Farm is under threat as some of the 250 homes would be built on the campsite.

The Scouts say negotiations are still ongoing with developers, but they hope to move the facility further inside Manor Farm.

A spokeswoman from the project said: “Outline planning applications have been submitted for the Pylands Lane site for 250 new homes and at Boorley Green for 1,400 new homes and other uses.

“Together, approval would guarantee the delivery of the much needed Sundays Hill Bypass and bring a host of community facilities and economic benefits to Eastleigh borough.”

Both applications are for outline planning permission – which means Eastleigh Borough Council will decide on the “principle”

development.

However, councillors will look at the access to both sites in detail.

A consultation run by Eastleigh Borough Council on Boorley Green runs until Tuesday, November 6 and a consultation on the Pylands Lane homes runs until Thursday, November 8.

For more information and to comment on the plans, email planning@eastleigh.gov.uk or call 023 8068 8267.