Over 700 objections sent to NFDC over Gladman Developments’ plan to build off Snails Lane between Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve and Poulner Lakes, near Ringwood

More than 700 people and two councils have taken against controversial plans to build 140 homes on land prone to flooding and surrounded by lakes.

Gladman Developments wants to build on the site off Snails Lane in Blashford, but there has been a sizable backlash since the plans were revealed.

Among those who also raised issues was Hampshire chief fire officer Neil Odin, who said in a report that the site’s proximity to lakes means the service may not be able to tackle fires because of the damage it would cause to the environment.

He said: “Should a serious unsuppressed fire occur on the premises, the water environment may become polluted with 'fire water run-off’ that may include foam.

“The service will liaise with the Environment Agency at any incident where they are in attendance and under certain circumstances, where there is a serious risk to the environment, a 'controlled burn' may take place.

“This, of course, could lead to the total loss of the building and its contents.”

Ringwood Town Council has objected, along with Ellingham, Harbridge and Ibsley Parish Council.

The town council highlighted issues surrounding the capacity of local schools, phosphates and site access, and added the scheme did “not accord” with the Local Plan “in a number of respects”.

On flooding, the town council’s statement said the developer “appears to be wholly unaware of the site’s history”, adding: “In particular the reasons why a lake or pond forms in the middle of the site in wet weather – the ground is so heavily impacted that there is little or no permeability into the soil.

“Its proposals to deal with on-site drainage are wholly inadequate.”

It also said: “The proposal would destroy the natural habitat of several protected species leading to a loss of local amenity.“

The parish council stated: “The independent flood risk assessment we have commissioned introduces significant concerns about flooding that we have not seen documented in the planning process to this date.

“This matter alone leads us to maintain our fundamental objection to development at Snails Lane.”

Natural England stated the proposal “has the potential to have a harmful effect” on protected sites in the area.

Most of the public objections centre on flooding, traffic access and loss of green space.

One told NFDC: “There are only five per cent of our flood plains left in the country, and Snails Lane is one of them.

“Salisbury Road is already loaded with traffic and the New Forest’s lanes won't be able to take the increase in traffic and there are enough garden fires and woodburners polluting Poulner as it is without any more from more housing. The police are also over-stretched.

“But considering this Snails Lane site is under water most of the year and attracts rare birds, it should stay.”

Another added: “This cannot be suitable at such a scale.

“This is a rural area, Blashford Lakes are a nature reserve. Such a huge new build development would completely change the local landscape and surely impact the nature reserve.

”The local traffic is already a struggle, and this would only serve to cause gridlock. This is entirely out of place.”

Another resident told NFDC: “The River Avon is already suffering from nutrient overload, primarily from phosphates.

“This eutrophication [the accumulation of nutrients in water] depletes oxygen in the water and harms aquatic life including fish, otters, and water voles.

“Adding residential development will increase phosphate discharge. Claims that this will be mitigated using offset schemes such as Bickton Fish Farm lack scientific evidence and are not supported by observed improvements in river health.”

Regarding flood risks, the commentor added: “While the site is technically outside the designated floodplain, local knowledge and visible standing water indicates it is within the functional floodplain.”

If given the go-ahead, the development would see the demolition of outbuildings to make way for 140 properties, including affordable homes, plus the development of public open spaces including an “alternative” natural recreational greenspace, sustainable drainage systems, landscaping and access points.

In a design and access statement, Gladman told the district council the homes construction would be a “landscape led development, delivering sustainable homes, together with enhanced connectivity and publicly accessible open space”.

Access to the site, which would connect to a foul sewer at the nearby Headlands Business Park, would come from Salisbury Road.

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