Marchwood: Plan for 150 homes at Corks Farm approved

Marchwood-based Oceanic Galaxy has received outline consent to transform a 22-acre site at Corks Farm, part of a green lung between the two communities.

The multi-million-pound scheme has been backed by New Forest District Council, despite sparking almost 40 letters of objection.

The site is on the route to Marchwood Industrial Park and the Port of Marchwood - formerly known as Marchwood Military Port.

Plans to build up to 150 homes at Corks Farm in Marchwood have been given the go-ahead (Image: Boyle+Summers)

Marchwood residents have criticised the loss of open space, the scheme's impact on the character of the village, and the potential increase in traffic problems.

One of the objectors, Sophie Gale, of Normandy Way, told the council that the proposed development would have a "catastrophic" impact on the area.

READ MORE: Anger over plan to build up to 150 homes at Corks Farm, Marchwood

Esther O'Sullivan, of nearby Broadwalk Way, added: "This is a precious green area which helps counteract the massive amount of industrial activity in Marchwood.

"We need to keep the green spaces and trees to help reduce pollution and keep the feel of the village from being eroded."

But the application said the scheme would help meet the need for more housing in the district.

It added: "Our modest, sensible, and pragmatic approach to the design demonstrates how 150 dwellings could be achieved successfully on the site and how they could be located with an excellent relationship to the existing settlement and its wide range of facilities."

Plans to build up to 150 homes at Corks Farm in Marchwood have been given the go-ahead (Image: Boyle+Summers)

A council report said the scheme would deliver "significant benefits".

"The council can not currently demonstrate it has a five-year supply of housing land available. It is therefore imperative that the sites allocated for housing are brought forward to ensure the supply of housing meets identified need.

"This scheme would account for approximately one third of the annual requirement, attracting significant weight in its favour."

READ MORE: Oceanic Galaxy unveils plan for 150 homes on northern edge of Marchwood

The report also cited the economic benefits that would arise during the construction period.

"Construction workers bring spend into local shops and services, as in due course would residents of the scheme as well as their use of services such as hairdressers, gardeners, and decorators.

"An increase in population in Marchwood is highly likely to attract further investment in services and facilities such as food stores."

The report said road junctions could accommodate the extra traffic likely to be generated by the proposed development.

But a more detailed application will have to be approved by the council before work can start.