Update on Fawley Waterside development expected ‘within weeks’, New Forest District Council confirms

AN update on the future of a controversial new town with more than 1,300 homes is expected “within weeks”, New Forest District Council has confirmed.

As reported in the A&T the Fawley Waterside project, previously headed by Cadland Estate owner Aldred Drummond, was recently put under review and he resigned as a director.

An outline proposal for the scheme, on the former power station site, was given the green light by New Forest District Council in mid-2020.

But progress had stalled, with final legal agreements with the council still yet to be completed.

Cllr Mark Clark asked for an update on the development amid speculation the amount of homes for the site could be reduced.

He said: “There has been much speculation about the site being scaled back but these amount to mere rumours. Can the council confirm that the figure of 1,380 new homes is still a target?”

Speaking at a meeting of the council, Cllr Derek Tipp, the cabinet member for planning and economy, said while there was no specific timeframe, the council was expecting to hear from the consortium behind the scheme “in the next few weeks”.

He added: “New investors have come on board and there is a new management team.

“Initial discussions with that team have taken place, and updated proposals are awaited.

“Fawley Waterside remains a site that is allocated for development in the existing adopted Local Plan for 1,380 dwellings.”

As well as residential properties, the project also included areas of new commercial, civic and employment space, an underground car park, public open space, new grazing land and a primary school, if there was demand.