New Forest District Council looks set to approve application by Bargate Homes and Vivid Homes for 60 new homes on land off Hill Street, Calmore,

PLANS to build 60 new homes on agricultural land in Calmore are set to be approved by New Forest District Council next week.

Bargate Homes and Vivid Housing applied to develop land west of Hill Street with a mixture of one, two, three and four-bedroom flats and houses – of which 35% will be earmarked for affordable housing through social rent and shared ownership.

The application includes creating two new access roads from Hill Street, 133 resident parking spaces and an additional 10 for visitors, as well as open space, a play area and new paths for pedestrians and cyclists.

The site is included in a wider parcel of land in the local plan, which is earmarked for up to 1,000 new homes.

In a report to members of the planning committee, which will meet next Wednesday, officers recommend the application is approved.

The report states the development “would make a positive contribution” and “meet the housing needs of the district”.

It adds: “The mix of house types, styles and especially the policy compliant 35% provision of affordable housing... is a significant benefit and should be given great weight in favour of the scheme.”

The report adds that due to an increase in traffic from the development, a financial contribution of £90,000 is sought from the developer to improve safety at the junction between the nearby the A326 and A36.

A provision of £247,571 towards primary age school infrastructure is also proposed.

The application has received nine objections from members of the public who were concerned about the impact on pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders due to a lack of pavements, the loss of privacy, the effect on the character and appearance of the area and disruption to wildlife during construction.

Totton and Eling Town Council also objected to the scheme due to the impact of traffic generated by the development along Hill Street, and the demand on services and facilities in the local area.

Netley Marsh Parish Council, which is a consultee due to the division of local boundaries, also objected to the scheme over the impact of the new vehicle access points.

It also raised a concern over the impact on nearby conservation area, Testwood Lakes, which it called “a well-used and valuable nature and recreation area”.