PLANS have been submitted to build 74 homes to the north of Fordingbridge.

The application for land at Burgate Acres has been submitted to New Forest District Council (NFDC) by Metis Homes. The proposal also includes the creation of new access, parking, and open space after the demolition of some of the existing buildings on the site.

A planning statement says the housing would be made up of two, three and four bedroom houses and one and two bedroom flats. Fifty per cent (37 homes) will be “affordable”, making a “positive” contribution to the affordable housing needs where there is an “identified shortfall in delivery”.

The homes will be in the form of detached, semi-detached, short terraces or linked groups.

The statement added: “The proposal will make a significant contribution to the provision of homes in the Fordingbridge area, providing choice in terms of size, tenure and format.”

An improved access is proposed via Salisbury Road to the east and there will be recreational greenspace in the north-western portion of the site which will include a dedicated dog exercise area, wildflower meadow, “informal grass kick-about area”, footpaths/cycleways, and “natural” play area.

A new vehicle access point is proposed to the south east of the site, which would also provide “a new and significantly improved” access to Burgate School. It will be taken from the A338 via a new priority junction, which will include a new right turn lane.

The access accommodates the dedicated link from the Burgate School to facilitate schools buses and reduce congestion at peak drop off and pick up times.

The design and access statement said: “In this case the wider public benefits of the scheme include the delivery of much needed affordable and market housing, provision of substantial areas of public open space and new pedestrian and cycle links, off site highway improvements and improved access to Burgate School, CIL, S106 and New Homes Bonus payments, job creation at construction stage, and increased expenditure in the local area.”

It also stated the site is at “low risk” of flooding and there are “no previously recorded flood incidents within the site”

The development site is part of strategic site 18 (SS18) which has been allocated for housing in the draft NFDC Local Plan.

The application site was historically farmland associated with Lower Burgate Farm.

A spokesperson for Metis Homes said: “Metis Homes has consulted extensively on its plans over the past two years and is pleased to submit its application for 74 new homes including a proportion of affordable housing, with associated car parking, open space, landscaping and walking and cycle routes.

“The site is identified as a suitable location for residential development in the emerging New Forest Local Plan, and Metis’ plans will deliver much needed new homes, as well as improved, safe access and connectivity for vehicles in a highly sustainable location.

“Our plans will also help protect sensitive greenfield land within the New Forest by building on an identified residential site, and will retain the existing mature landscape setting, complemented with additional tree planting.”

To view or comment on the plans go to https://planning.newforest.gov.uk/online-applications/ with reference 20/10228.