Protestors' anger after homes debate is cancelled at last minute (From Daily Echo)

Protestors' anger after homes debate is cancelled at last minute

4:41pm Wednesday 17th February 2010 in

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RESIDENTS who picketed a planning meeting were furious when councillors failed to even discuss the controversial housing scheme they were protesting against.

Around 60 people travelled from Nursling to Test Valley council’s Romsey offices to demonstrate against proposals for 350 new homes on the edge of their village.

There were so many protestors that officials had to set up a makeshift seating area to accommodate them all.

Then technical problems with the sound system meant a debate on the plans was delayed while an engineer frantically tried to sort it out.

Eventually southern area planning committee chairman Cllr Neville Whiteley proposed that a discussion about the massive housing estate plan would be put off until next month even though the sound system had been fixed.

Councillors voted 11 to seven in favour of the delay.

Tim Jobling, trustee of Barker Mill Estates, which has put forward the housing plan for 27 acres of land off Redbridge Lane, described the meeting as a “shambles” and “an absolute disgrace”.

Nursling resident Linda Carmody, who lives near the proposed development, added: “It’s a very poor show. I feel very disappointed that it’s not going on after coming here but it will give us the chance to rally round and get more support.

“We will be back, power to the people! We moved to Nursling from Millbrook eight years ago to get away from the rat race, now this.”

Nursling and Rownhams ward councillor Phil Bundy was also disappointed.

He said: “So many residents turned up for the meeting and many were not able to get into the council chamber and then were not able to hear the speaker system because it broke down.

“Hopefully they will come back again and listen to the debate on March 9.”

Residents have bombarded the council with more than 150 letters of objection.

Before the meeting, campaigners waved placards calling for the scheme to be thrown out.

Protestor Janet Lines told the Daily Echo: “Enough is enough.

The 350 houses will result in at least 500 cars. We don’t want this.”

Barker Mill Estates says it will be pumping £2m into community projects, such as a new classroom at Nursling school, sports pitches and a play area if it is allowed to build the estate.

But opponents are unhappy that the development will be built on greenfield land that separates Nursling from Southampton.

They are already feeling the impact of the huge new Ordnance Survey headquarters at nearby Adanac Park, alongside the M271.

The March 9 meeting will be held at Romsey’s Crosfield Hall.