Bartley: Proposal for affordable homes behind Haywain pub

The English Rural Housing Association (RHA) is seeking consent to provide affordable homes on a greenfield site behind the Haywain pub in Southampton Road, Bartley.

Critics claim the proposed development will create extra traffic problems in the area, which includes Bartley Junior School.

Plans to build housing behind the Haywain pub in Bartley have been submitted (Image: Newsquest)

The Haywain overlooks a set of crossroads that has seen several serious accidents in recent years.

One of the objections to the housing scheme has been lodged by the local parish council.

Its letter to the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) says the volume of traffic using the junction at school drop-off and collection times means the area is already unsafe, especially for children.

READ MORE: Nearly 260 people oppose plans to build 62 homes on rural site in the New Forest

Other protesters include planning expert Roy Farmers, who used to live at Southampton Road.

He says: "This crossroads is notoriously dangerous. Many of us have witnessed 'near misses' because of motorists not knowing who has the right of way."

An artist's impression of the housing proposed for land at New Inn Road, Bartley (Image: Architecture PLB)

If the scheme is given the go-ahead, six houses and four flats will be built on land off New Inn Road.

One of the people living in nearby Pundle Green cites the amount of traffic in the neighbourhood and claims it would be "madness" to build more housing.

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Natural England has also raised concerns about the plan, warning it could have a significant effect impact on wildlife habitats.

But a Romsey Road resident is supporting the "excellent" proposal, describing it as a much-needed development on a good site.

Ten homes will be built at New Inn Road, Bartley, if the scheme is approved (Image: Newsquest.)

The application says the need for affordable housing in the area was identified as far back as 2014. However, all but three of the sites suggested as being suitable have been ruled out.

Housing in the New Forest is said to be more expensive than in any other national park in the country.

The average property sells for well over £550,000, with homes in one of the villages near Bartley fetching more than £855,000. Other problems facing people struggling to get onto the property ladder include the number of second homes in the district.

Strict planning policies limit the number of new homes that can be built in many parts of the district.

But the application says Rural Exception Sites – small patches of land suitable for up to ten homes - go a long way towards providing affordable housing.