Outline planning application for 150 homes at Cork Farm in Marchwood given the go-ahead by New Forest District Council

AN outline planning application to build up to 150 homes on fields in Marchwood has been granted despite villagers’ concerns about flooding and overdevelopment.

Developer Oceanic Galaxy want to erect a mix of houses and flats up to three-storeys high at Cork Farm, at the north-west of the village, on the edge of Southampton Water. The scheme will offer 35% affordable housing.

Objectors claimed the village is being “overwhelmed” and that the site flooded frequently.

One resident had said: “This is a beautiful site in a village that has changed much beyond all recognition. Can the powers that be please leave us with some green space?”

They added: “Having lived directly alongside the site for years I have seen the extent of the flooding there, so have grave concerns that changing levels will worsen the issue, potentially causing damage to existing homes.”

Another agreed: “Raising the lower ground by a staggering 1.5 metres before any construction or foundation work has taken place means the development would tower over the road.

“This site already floods dangerously, with very deep water overfilling trenches flooding into Admiralty Way.”

NFDC has approved the outline plans but with several conditions aimed at “minimising flooding and ensuring sufficient sustainable drainage”.

The council also stated a “detailed surface water drainage scheme” must be submitted by Oceanic Galaxy along with a “site-specific flood risk assessment”.

The company will also have to provide “detailed drainage calculations to demonstrate existing runoff rates are not exceeded and there is sufficient attention for storm events and including climate change”.

It also has to supply its plans for the “long-term maintenance arrangements” of the water drainage system.

Marchwood Parish Council had raised concerns about the development over highway safety as Normandy Way is a 40mph road used “heavily” by HGVs.

It also said “traffic generated from it would increase that from the Solent Gateway expansion and have a detrimental impact up on the road infrastructure”.

NFDC has now asked the company to undertake a “survey of the forward visibility on Normandy Way from the south-east towards its junction with Admiralty Way” in the “interests of highway safety”.

A planning officer had recommended the application for approval, pointing out that the site was included in the NFDC Local Plan as being suitable for “at least” 150 houses.

They said the scheme would have “significant benefits associated with it”, adding that the council could not currently “demonstrate it has a five-year supply of housing land available therefore it is imperative that the sites allocated for housing are brought forward”.

The officer also said the development would create a “mix of housing types and sizes, creating a mixed and balanced community”. They also said that there would be “significant economic benefits during construction involving extensive employment in a wide range of sectors across the construction industry”.

The officer added: “Construction workers bring spend into local shops and services, as in due course would residents of the scheme, as well as their use of services at home such as hairdressers, gardeners and decorators.”