PLANS have been submitted to build almost 100 homes in Fordingbridge.

New Forest District Council has received an application seeking outline planning permission for a “major development” on land at St John’s Farm on Stuckton Road.

Proposals include 78 houses, 20 retirement apartments, a village hall and playground along with new access arrangements.

This is the latest application to build housing in the town. Applications have already been submitted for 240 homes on land north of Station Road and 63 homes at Burgate Acres, Salisbury Road.

A design and access statement submitted with the new application said: “This proposal will provide new dwellings within easy walking distance of Fordingbridge town centre without compromising the local highway network - the location of the site ensures that there will be no additional congestion through the town centre as the majority of traffic movements will involve direct access off the A338.

“This is the right time for this land to be developed due to the huge shortfall in housing land supply.

“There will be clear economic benefits to the town with additional population ensuring that the high street remains vibrant and in the short term there will be economic benefits with the applicant wishing to employ local tradesmen and builders should permission be granted.”

The proposal, it said, would also provide "much needed homes for people at the start of their adult lives, for families, and the middle-aged and elderly” and provision of a new village hall, playground and “enhanced living conditions” for existing properties on Stuckton Road would “enhance the day-to-day lives of all generations”

“It is the logical town for further residential expansion, given its proximity to Salisbury and Bournemouth and the lack of planning constraints (on land) surrounding it,” the design and access statement said.

“It is accepted that this would be the first major development east of the A338 and recent planning permissions in the town have largely been to the north of Fordingbridge.

“However, those new residential areas are remote from the town centre in comparison with this scheme.”

The principle access will be from the B3078.

The retirement units, village hall and playground will be located at the north of the site, which the design and access statement says will give occupants “the safest and easiest” pedestrian access to the town centre.

The remainder of the site will contain the 78 homes ranging in type from flats, terraced housing, to semi-detached and detached properties.

There will be “on-site affordable dwellings” but the amount is still to be determined.

The planning document said the “applicant is committed to delivering on-site affordable dwellings throughout the development to benefit those in need within the town of Fordingbridge and the immediate surrounding area”.

The documents also stated the site can “provide additional housing that is in a sustainable and accessible location”.

The design and access statement also said: “The need to provide new housing is identified by the local planning authority as their main key priority.

“The site at St John’s Farm is considered to be in an excellent position to provided much-needed housing.”

To view or comment on the application go to New Forest District Council’s website (reference 19/10881).