Pennyfarthing Homes scheme for 170 homes off Manor Road, Milford, recommended for approval at NFDC planning meeting
CONTROVERSIAL plans for 170 new homes on fields in Milford are set to be approved despite hundreds of objections and parish council opposition.
The outline application to develop land north of Manor Road by Pennyfarthing Homes’ follows a previous bid to develop the site with 190 homes, which was withdrawn in the autumn and then resubmitted with a scaled-back scheme.
However, opponents argue the site should be developed with no more than 110 homes – a figure set out in New Forest District Council’s development plan for the site.
The latest plans are now recommended for approval by NFDC planning officers despite more than 680 objections from local residents and the parish council.
Under proposals, the 11.9 hectare site would be developed with a range of one to five-bedroom affordable and market dwellings, leading to a density of around 28.9 dwellings per hectare. Plans also include children’s play areas, and areas of alternative natural recreation greenspace to be used by residents and the wider community.
The site will be served by three vehicle access points from Manor Road along with a pedestrian and cycle access from Lymington Road.
In a report to NFDC’s planning committee, planning officer Ian Rayner concluded: “The proposal would deliver much needed additional housing in the local area, comprising a variety of different house types, and including a significant proportion of affordable homes that would be of benefit to local people.
Mr Rayner added the development would provide employment during construction, and significant areas of green infrastructure and habitat “resulting in a connected landscape that would benefit both people and biodiversity”.
However, the scheme has been branded a “gross overdevelopment” by Milford Parish Council, with councillors urging NFDC to refuse permission.
In its feedback to the NFDC, Milford Parish Council said: “Insufficient consideration is given to the character of the village and the surroundings of this site. This application proposes an inappropriate urban density.”
Letters of objection have also been received from 687 local residents, and a campaign group Milford Residents for Sustainable Development has formed to oppose the development.
The group claims the scheme would destroy the character of the village, endanger children attending the nearby primary school, exacerbate flooding and sewage problems, and impact wildlife and biodiversity.
A report from the group states: “The rural edge of the village is rich in wildlife including evidence of badgers, bats – including very rare barbastelle bats, visits by deer and a wide range of birds. The trees and hedges along the rural edge of Manor Road form an important wildlife corridor.
”The concrete footprint associated with 170 homes will destroy the habitat. A development of 110 homes would enable the environment to be left in a measurably better state.”
The outline application is set to be considered by NFDC’s planning committee during at a meeting at the authority’s Appletree Court headquarters on Wednesday 14th February.
