A MEETING to discuss plans for 63 homes on land at Burgate Acres, Fordingbridge has been pushed back.

The application had been due to be discussed by Fordingbridge Town Council’s planning committee this evening (Wednesday, November 11). It will now be discussed on December 9 at 7.30pm.

A statement on Fordingbridge Town Council's Facebook page said: "This application has now been deferred for discussion at next month's Planning Committee meeting rather than at this evening's meeting as was originally planned. This is due to necessary consultee reports not yet being available for consideration.

The application for land at Burgate Acres, Salisbury Road, has been submitted to New Forest District Council (NFDC) by Metis Homes.

Amendments have been made which include reducing the number of homes from 74 to 63.

A letter submitted by Metis Homes said: “The resultant reduction in density has enabled a greater level of open space and ANRG (Alternative Natural Recreational Greenspace) to be delivered on site, in addition to more areas for new planting around the existing mature landscape structure.

“The resultant level of open space and ANRG are both now in excess of the levels prescribed within supplementary planning guidance and act to create a series of connected spaces within the site and beyond its boundaries.”

The proposals also include the creation of a new access and open space.

When the initial plans for 74 homes were submitted it sparked concerns over safeguarding due to the close proximity to Fordingbridge Day Nursery.

A number of parents whose children attend the nursery had called for the boundary to be moved further away from the nursery and measures to address the safeguarding concerns.

Concerns were also raised over flooding and drainage, and about the proposed layout and impact on the A338.

A spokesperson for Metis Homes said:“Metis Homes has consulted extensively on its plans over the past 2 years and is pleased to submit our updated plans for 63 new homes, with associated car parking, open space, landscaping and walking and cycle routes.

“We are pleased to say that the reduction in the number of homes proposed by almost 15 per cent results in an increase in the level of open space provided, in addition to more areas for new planting around the existing mature landscape.

“This change is a direct response to our extensive ongoing dialogue with key stakeholders on the plans”

The site is part of a larger area of land identified as Strategic Site 18 within New Forest District Council’s local plan.

Vehicle access, the plans state, will be from a new junction onto the A338 Salisbury Road into the Burgate Acres parcel adjacent to Burgate School.

The amended design proposal says the maximum scale of the properties will be two storey.

The final decision on whether planning permission is granted will be made by NFDC.