A BOROUGH council is set to purchase more farmland in a bid to protect from development.

Early in 2021, Eastleigh Borough Council outlined its approach to help protect the Solent’s waterways through the purchase of farming land to remove it from agricultural use.

This came after concerns were raised of excess nutrients such as nitrates and phosphorus making their way into bodies of water across the Solent region.

But now the council has said it is close to purchasing more land to safeguard the areas waterways further.

The most recent land acquisition that has been announced is Stoke Park Farm and Manor Farm in Bishopstoke.

Now the move has been met with support from local campaigners with Action Against Destructive Development Eastleigh chair, John Lauwerys, saying: “This is great news for the residents of Bishopstoke and Colden Common – and for anyone concerned about our precious natural environment.

"It means that the development on the option B area including the planned new link road will never take place. And, given that Option C was dependent on the link road, that too now seems consigned to history.”

The authority has revealed that the purchase is "soon to be completed" adding that the land can then be protected from any future use which may result in damage to waterways.

Under Council ownership, the land is then set to be used for other environmental benefits, with options including additional woodland planting, creating habitats or being left in its natural state as additional green space such as meadows or wetlands.

Cllr Keith House said: "The need for new housing is well established, but we need to be leading the way to show how this need can be met while at the same time ensuring that the environment is protected too.

"Eastleigh Borough Council did not hide from this important issue and took proactive steps to protect the important gap between our towns and villages and the local waterways. Crucially, this land will remain undeveloped, help protect land between our communities and provide environmental benefits for the long term."

There are currently eight parcels of agricultural land now owned by the Council.