COUNCILLORS in Fordingbridge have once again voiced their opposition to proposals for more housing developments in the town.

An extraordinary meeting was held by Fordingbridge Town Council’s planning committee last week to discuss amended plans for a housing development on land west of Burgate, Salisbury Street.

The hybrid application, which has been submitted by Pennyfarthing Homes Ltd, is seeking outline planning permission for a residential development and change of use of land to alternative natural recreational greenspace (ANRG) as well as a community hub that could be used for retail, community or business.

As part of the application full planning permission is also being sought for the first phase of development of 111 homes.

The proposals previously came before the town council in January who recommended the plans be refused by New Forest District Council (NFDC).

The site is earmarked for development in the district council’s local plan.

The town council’s response submitted to NFDC following the meeting on October 10, stated that the proposed development site “does not adhere to the Local Plan” and “the areas proposed for housing do not conform with those detailed in the agreed in the plan".

Concerns were flagged over the level of affordable housing, which the town council “deemed to be too low”. It also said that there was “no formal open space on the site for residents”.

There were also queries raised over a proposed phosphate mitigation project at Bickton Fish Farm and the town council requested further information on this.

The town council also noted that further information was awaited from Highways over the roundabout and the scheme in general. Its response added: “It is not possible to make an informed decision without this information."

Fordingbridge Town Council has also renewed calls for the construction of a link road access to the various development sites before more housing is built.

It said: “Further detail and comfort is required in relation to the proposed construction access from the A338.”

The revised plans include revisions to the alternative natural recreational greenspace (ANRG) and footpaths addressing surface water.

Since the submission of the original plans, the size of the roundabout has also been reduced and located further to the west.

The proposed arrangement of the primary street on the site has also been revised, including amendments to the footway and crossing provision to “co-ordinate with wider amendments to the open space and ANRG surrounding phase 3”.

The density of the housing units has also been revised with the plans saying that the overall development provides one additional dwelling plot and slight modifications to the mix of units over the original proposals.

The comment made by the town council have been submitted to NFDC who as the planning authority will decide whether planning permission is granted. 

Last month, NFDC's planning committee gave the green-light to plans from Pennyfarthing Homes that could see 342 homes built on land to the west of Whitsbury Road.