NFDC gives 269-home scheme on Salisbury Road in Calmore the green light

PLANS for a development of 269 homes in the New Forest have been given the green light by the New Forest District Council’s planning committee.

The scheme by Bloor Homes and the Barker-Mills Hillyfields Trust follows the previous outline approval in January 2023 for up to 280 dwellings.

The application sought approval for the scale, layout and appearance of the site off Salisbury Road, Calmore, as well as further details of landscaping.

Members of the committee, which met on Wednesday, unanimously approved the plans, which includes 94 affordable homes.

A report to members explained the affordable housing would be set in a number of small clusters that would be distributed across the development.

The “attractive and well designed” layout of the site was noted in the report, with the officer adding it “should provide good amenity for future occupants”.

Four play areas are proposed within the site, as well as other outdoor recreation spaces and an area for off-lead dog exercising.

The application is supported by Netley Marsh Parish Council, but prompted concern from bird conservation group Hampshire Swifts which felt that each home in the development should have an integrated swift nesting box, rather just than the 36 proposed.

An objection was also received from one local resident who said the site was an important green space buffer between the A36 and the M27.