Pennyfarthing Homes submits plan for 74 properties in Fordingbridge

Plans for 74 new homes in Fordingbridge have been submitted to New Forest District Council.

Developer Pennyfarthing Homes says it eventually wants to create a neighbourhood of 342 homes on the northern edge of the town.

The new development would be part of the Forde Valley housing scheme, following in the wake of Pennyfarthing’s nearby Whitsbury Green development.

Outline planning approval was granted in September, with the site having been allocated in NFDC’s Local Plan.

A Pennyfarthing spokesperson said the developer’s vision for Forde Valley is to create an “attractive” place to live offering “excellent quality of life in a welcoming community” on the edge of the New Forest.

The company said the development would include “generous” areas set aside for public amenity with trees and landscaping, plus a children’s play area, an enclosed space for dog walking and links to local footpaths.

Outline planning for the wider development includes woodlands, a wetland area and extensive tree and hedge planting to “boost biodiversity”.

Pennyfarthing Homes’ managing director, Matt Dukes, said: “We are pleased to be driving ahead with our plans to create a highly desirable and attractive new community for Fordingbridge that forms a natural extension to the town while benefitting from a beautiful, rural location.

“Our proposed designs are sympathetic to the area and the mix of homes will attract a wide range of residents to Fordingbridge.

“We are confident we will continue to build on the success of Whitsbury Green situated next door, which is already proving popular among buyers attracted to this fabulous location on the edge of the New Forest.”

NFDC officers have recommended the scheme for approval. Council members are due to decide on the application at their next planning committee meeting on Wednesday 11th December.