Fawley power station site plans: decision due today

Members of New Forest District Council are being recommended to approve the larger of two applications to redevelop land occupied by the former Fawley power station.

The whole scheme is expected to cost at least £800m and is being described as the biggest ever submitted to the authority.

Fawley Waterside Ltd is asking the council for planning permission to build 1,380 homes, a 2,100-space car park and a large amount of commercial, civic and employment space.

A council report says the project, expected to create 2,000 jobs, will result in "considerable" social and economic benefits.

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It adds: "The environmental benefits of redeveloping a site that detracts significantly from the special qualities of the New Forest National Park with a sustainable new community that is expected to be of the highest design quality would also be considerable."

But Cllr David Harrison has raised the possibility that members may go against the advice of planning officers and reject the application.

Posting on social media he said: "I don't think the decision will be unanimous and it may not even be approved. Members don't always follow officers' recommendations."

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Cllr Harrison said it was the biggest and most significant decision planners in the Forest had ever had to make.

Another meeting is being held tomorrow, when members of the National Park Authority (NPA) will be recommended to approve a separate proposal to build 120 homes and a primary school, plus flood defences and a sea wall, on land surrounding the main power station site.

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But both applications must be approved before the scheme can go ahead.

The proposal submitted to the NPA has sparked almost 100 objections, including one from the New Forest Verderers.

They say: "This is a very significant planning application which, if granted, has the potential to have a seriously detrimental impact on the New Forest.

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"All housing developments in and around the New Forest increase recreational pressure and thus have an adverse impact on the forest and its highly designated landscape."

Historic England says the proposed development will harm heritage assets in the area, including Calshot Castle and neighbouring hangars built during the First World War.

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But two parish councils, Fawley and Hythe and Dibden, say the application should be approved - subject to major improvements to the A326.