A NEW master plan to create nearly 700 homes and a school in the Hampshire countryside has been unveiled.

A bid is being prepared to create a housing estate on the outskirts of a rural village which is already at the centre of another major development row.

Plans for up to 680 homes, a new primary school and a shopping precinct near Boorley Green, were revealed at a heated Botley Parish Council meeting.

The vision, earmarked for fields between Winchester Road and Hedge End railway station, was criticised by councillors who are already launching a High Court fight against another mammoth development in the area which is double the size.

But the companies behind the new settlement vow to stand by their vision whether the other homes plan goes ahead or not. That means potentially more than 2,000 could be built in the area in the coming years.

Gleeson Homes, Miller Homes and Welbeck are preparing to submit a joint application for their Boorley Gardens development.

It includes provisions for a two-tier primary school and public square with room for shops and community facilities.

The group of developers say it wants to create a “truly sustainable” neighbourhood, based on green open spaces.

It will have improved connections to the Hedge End railway station and improved bus services and there is a strong emphasis on promoting healthy lifestyles among residents, say developers.

But those proposing the new neighbourhood admit that it must be a “place in its own right” and has to respect the identity and character of the surrounding area.

It comes as Botley Parish Council has applied to be part of a judicial review examining Eastleigh Borough Council's decision to back plans for 1,400 homes at Boorley Green, alongside the Botley Parish Action Group (BPAG).

Daily Echo:

Residents have previously protested against housing plans at Boorley Green

Planning consultant Jacqueline Mulliner, speaking for Gleeson, Miller and Welbeck, told Botley Parish Council an outline planning application for their development will be launched within weeks.

She told the meeting: “We are responding to need for housing in the area and a suitable site for development which is what we feel is better than other sites being put forward in the local plan.”

She said the proposal - which includes new roads and an extensive network of cycle paths - will “stand on its own” in the face of any rival developments.

Access to the site will be via Winchester Road, where a new roundabout will be created, while car and cycle parking space will be provided on the north west section of the site.

The Shamblehurst Lane railway bridge will be restricted to a single lane and have new traffic signals installed so it is safe for cyclists and pedestrians.

A “personal travel plan” will be implemented to try and reduce the level of traffic on the surrounding road network.

Due to the size of the project, assessments will be carried out to test the transport, air quality, noise, and water quality in the area.

But councillors complained it will essentially “double the size” of Botley, putting extra pressure on roads, railways, local services and sewage systems.

Chairman Cllr Colin Mercer added: “If either (of the developments) go ahead we feel it's destroying the pleasant location of Botley.

“We believe there's other sites nearby that can resolve the plan.”

Sue Grinham, chair of Botley Parish Action Group, said: “It's urban sprawl that's going on from Botley to Hedge End and spreading urbanisation further north.

“It's just another 650 houses that are making what's already an atrocious situation worse.”

Click to see Boorley Garden plans.pdf