PLANS for 145 homes in Fordingbridge have been submitted to New Forest District Council.

The proposals by Pennyfarthing Homes and the Highwood Group for land at Whitsbury Road are made up of 39 detached houses, 31 pairs of semi-detached houses as well as flats and terraced housing.

The plans also include garages, parking, and public open space.

At a town council meeting last Wednesday, Fordingbridge Mayor Malcolm Connolly, said: “We have got a very limited amount of time to get our points of view across. It’s important we respond to it, as everyone tells you planners don’t always get it right, sometimes we can improve things.”

Town councillors are due to discuss the plans on March 22.

The housing will be a mix of open market and affordable housing, including starter homes.

The site will also feature a new foot and cycle path and a school dropoff area. Access is proposed from Whitsbury Road.

The developer says traffic assessments show the proposals would have “no adverse effects on the existing transport network”.

Resident Colin Burt, who has submitted comments to NFDC, said: “Whilst I appreciate the need for housing I feel it is too dense for the site. Why not go for lesser numbers, larger gardens, more off road parking, etc?

“There will be an unacceptable increase in traffic on the local residential roads.”

He raised concerns over how the capacity of schools, sewers and road systems would cope without “vast improvement” and said affordable homes were needed.

Robert Jackson said concerns over the Whitsbury Road access, raised by residents calling for a direct link to the A338, did not seem to have been addressed by the developers. He raised concerns about increases in traffic and the need for more school places.

He said: “We do need additional houses to meet the local demand and I believe this site is acceptable if the access to the A338 issue can be resolved.”

In December, more than 200 residents attended an exhibition of the plans. The impact on schools, doctors, and traffic were among concerns raised.

To view or comment on the plans online go to newforest.gov.uk/planning and use reference 17/10150.