Landowner offers nature reserve for homes deal (From Daily Echo)

Landowner offers nature reserve for homes deal

1:24pm Friday 20th January 2012 in Romsey

A HAMPSHIRE town wetland nature reserve, fully funded and managed for 25 years – in return for 58 new homes.

That’s the offer being made by a landowner to civic bosses in Romsey.

Tom Hanslip says he will give the council 150 acres of land at Fishlake Meadows on the northern edge of Romsey, if he can develop adjoining farmland.

He wants to build 58 homes on 13 acres at Oxlease Farm, off Cupernham Lane, where he currently runs a livery business.

Mr Hanslip, who bought Oxlease Farm in 2008, and currently lives there, said: “With the current economic climate, and the need to act quickly to protect the site’s delicate wildlife, it is very unlikely that public funds could be found to ensure this – which is why I believe this proposal has real merit.”

Fishlake Meadows, which was once owned by football legend Kevin Keegan who had dreams of turning it into a golf course, is a Site of Important Nature Conservation (SINC) and provides a haven for birds and the rare water vole.

Mr Hanslip is offering to pay for its long-term improvement and management for at least 25 years, which he says would amount to a total investment of more than £1.5m. This commitment would include the construction of paths and viewing areas.

He is also offering the council an area of land to the north of Oxlease Farm, to be used for a new access road and could also be the site of an education centre.

To help finance these proposals, plans are being drawn up to redevelop 13 acres of Oxlease Farm, as Oxlease Gardens, with a mix of three, four and five-bedroom homes.

Test Valley council planning boss Martin Hatley said: “The council will consider any proposals on its merits and will scrutinise very closely any that come forward.

“The proposed development site is in the countryside next to a Site of Special Scientific Interest and we will need to pay particular attention to the impact any development might have on it.”

Peter Hutchings of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust said: “It is essential that a way is found to secure Fishlake Meadows to ensure it is managed for its rich wildlife with compatible access, so that this wildlife gem is still there for future generations to value and enjoy.”

A public exhibition of the scheme is being held on February 3, at Romsey Town Hall from 5.30pm to 8pm and the following Saturday on site at Oxlease Farm from 11am to 4pm.

It is expected that a planning application will be submitted in April.