UPDATED plans to build almost 170 homes on former green belt land in the New Forest are recommended for approval despite infuriating hundreds of residents.
In total, around 600 objections have been lobbied at various adaptations of developer Pennyfarthing Homes’ vision to redevelop an area of arable land at Brockhills Lane in New Milton.
The developer has said the scheme for 164 homes will provide much-needed new housing and a large amount of open space, while an action group called Residents Against the Development of Brockhills Lane has been set up to fight the application.
Submitted in April 2021, the project has undergone numerous changes in order to combat the backlash – with the latest iteration of the scheme recommended for approval by New Forest District Council planning officers subject to numerous conditions.
It will now be discussed by members of the planning committee on Wednesday, February 8.
The proposed housing mix comprises 12 one-bedroom and 20 two-bedroom apartments, with 36 two-bedroom, 65 three-bedroom and 31 four-bedroom houses. Of the 164 homes, 82 are described as affordable.
New Milton Town Council has consistently objected to the plans, rejecting several points raised in the report and echoing residents’ concerns about the impact on the local road network.
One objector, Martin Poole of Blacklands Farm, said: “164 houses down a small rural lane is ridiculous not to mention dangerous. The amount of vehicle collisions that have happened recently will only get worse.”
In his report recommending approval, case officer Richard Natt said: “Understandably there are local concerns with the proposed access, impact on existing traffic in the area, poor pedestrian connections and the internal layout has several design flaws. However, in response, the technical information to support the application has been accepted by the highway authority and is considered to be robust.
“Overall, the proposed development is considered to be one that meets the key objectives of sustainable development.”
Pennyfarthing has previously said the scheme features a “meandering” village layout intended to give the new neighbourhood a rural feel.
It has also said traffic surveys have shown that the proposed development will not have a significant impact on the local road network.
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