Application by Stoneriver Homes and Belco Holdings for 30 homes on land at Lower Pennington Lane recommended for approval by New Forest District Council

PLANS to build 30 homes next to Oakhaven hospice are set to be approved.

A hybrid application has been made for 26 homes on land at Lower Pennington Lane, Pennington, of which 15 affordable dwellings would be age restricted for over 55s.

The restriction was to “ensure the needs of their residents are fully respected”, said developers Stoneriver Homes and Belco Holdings, adding they wanted to “maintain the peace and tranquility” of the hospice.

The properties would be a mixture of flats and houses comprising one, two and three-bedrooms.

Outline permission is also sought for four plots, consisting of four-bedrooms or more, which will be available for “self and custom build dwellings”, alongside public open space and a play area.

Members of the council’s planning committee will meet on Wednesday to determine the application.

It has drawn eight letters of objection, with concerns over the urbanisation of the area, increase in noise, traffic and pollution, lack of unrestricted affordable homes, pedestrian and cyclist safety, and impact on wildlife.

Lymington and Pennington Town Council also objected over density concerns and the over-55s restriction.

Pennington and Lymington Lanes Society (Palls) said it appreciated the efforts made to mitigate the effects on the immediate and wider lanes network, but added: “Palls object to the loss of the embankment and landscape to widen the vehicle access into the site to accommodate two-way traffic, and the urbanising effect of providing a pavement along Lower Pennington Lane.”

One letter in support of the scheme praised the “well thought-out design” and supported retaining the landscape buffer along the western edge of the site.

Oakhaven representatives said it had no objection to the application, adding: “The buffer area and additional planting protects privacy and tranquillity from the proposed built development.

“The age restriction on the flat blocks is essential to protect privacy and tranquillity of the hospice. The position of the access will reduce traffic levels past the hospice and the provision of six [hospice] parking spaces will help address safety issues.”

A report to the council’s planning committee recommends the scheme is approved. It states: “Overall, given the significant public benefits including specifically the delivery of needed and planned market housing and affordable housing, and the provision of new public open space in conjunction with that housing, the proposal is acceptable.”