Pennyfarthing submits full application for major 169-home estate off Brockhills Lane, New Milton
A FULL planning application has been submitted for a controversial major development of 169 new homes on greenbelt land at the edge of New Milton.
Local housing developer Pennyfarthing Homes has promised half of the dwellings in the estate proposed for land off Brockhills Lane will be affordable, but it has divided opinion among residents.
The application comprises a variety of one to four-bedroom properties, internal roads and footpaths, resident and visitor car parking; and site access with emergency access at Sway Road.
The location is a strategic housing site identified in the Local Plan formally approved by New Forest District Council in July 2020.
Road danger caused by an increase in vehicles, overwhelming pressure on schools and doctors’ surgeries; and harm to wildlife are among fears raised by opposing residents.
Pennyfarthing has maintained traffic surveys showed there would be no significant impact on the local road network.
It also vowed measures were being taken to address biodiversity issues, including creating alternative natural recreational greenspace (ANRG) to alleviate pressures on the New Forest National Park.
Pennyfarthing’s proposed layout for the development off Brockhills Lane
Those backing the proposals emphasised the need to address a national housing shortage, particularly that which is affordable.
On Monday morning, six out of seven public comments lodged on NFDC’s planning website were against the proposal.
Branding it “nothing more than a disaster”, an Oakwood Avenue resident said: “Brockhills Lane is currently not fit for purpose for the current volume of traffic, let alone increased traffic from the new proposed development.”
A Spring Lane resident warned the development would harm native animals and insects including bats, owls and deer, while also raising the road safety and amenities issues.
“Brockhills Lane is a country lane, hence the title, with no pavements and only limited space,” they wrote.