ADD UPDATE, 3 September 2025: As the summer comes to an end, house builders Croudace and Highwood have begun to push a scheme for a major new development of up to 3,400 north east of Fair Oak, on green fields that stretch from Mortimers Lane to Crowd Hill (see developers’ map above). They have not only asked Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) about requirements for an Environmental Impact Assessment but also invited comments from the public.
As we have seen many times before, this is obviously an attempt by the house builders to get ahead of EBC’s planning process, set out in law, and therefore influence the orderly democratic preparation of its revised Local plan.
Don’t forget that Highwood is the developer that tried to push through a similar scheme in 2020 – then called Option C – which was flatly rejected by a government planning inspector. (It is worth noting that at the time EBC itself said it wouldn’t promote Option C without its accompanying Option B, which included a major new road. Even with this, the inspector threw out that plan.)
We therefore urge everyone who opposed Options B and C, as well as anyone who dislikes the new scheme, to make their views known. Indeed, when you do, please send your comments to [email protected] so we can keep a log. Otherwise, it is likely they will never see the light of day!
As we have discovered previously (including most recently when hundreds of people voiced their concerns over a brazen plan from Bloor Homes for 245 homes on Mortimers Lane), individual voices do matter and, together, we really can make a difference.
Needless to say, in their recent literature Croudace and Highwood don’t talk about the traffic impacts that its 3,400 home development would have on already overloaded roads in Fair Oak, Bishopstoke, Colden Common, Twyford and the lanes and villages of the National Park. There is no plan for a new road this time.
EBC has responded to the developers’ move, rightly pointing out that it is currently evaluating all of the options set out in its consultation at the beginning of the year, and won’t decide on its preferred new major development sites until late 2026. The council’s next step is to report on the findings of its consultation, which currently looks likely to happen at its next Full Council on 25 September.
As we have done since our foundation in 2015, ADD supports the need for Eastleigh to plan for the right homes in the right places. We simply insist that any assessments are based on objective evidence (especially traffic impacts) and not led by developers’ desires to make profits.
Traffic chaos across Fair Oak and all neighbouring communities, whether in Eastleigh or Winchester, is a prime concern for all ADD supporters.
To reduce dependency on roads and avoid adding to the current congestion, Eastleigh will need to ensure a reliable, frequent and varied public transport system for its new development, combined with good opportunities for active travel (walking and cycling).
A development that relies on urging its residents to use buses that operate on already clogged roads, as the Croudace/Highwood plan does, is doomed to cause long-term disappointment, disruption and delay – in other words to create a failed development. Indeed, it’s not lost on ADD supporters that this week a key bus route in our community was axed. On the other hand, a development that is close to current (or future) train or light rail stations, with good level access to the town centre, would be set up for success. It is the only option that can deliver the housing that Eastleigh needs and deserves, and – fortunately – Eastleigh has these options. Many others don’t.
In summary, if you are concerned about Croudace and Highwood’s plans, for traffic or other reasons, please respond to their consultation, telling them what you think – and then emailing us your submission for the record.
Please also make a note of EBC’s next Full Council meeting on 25 September (7.15pm, venue TBC). If this proposed development is on the agenda, we will let you know so that we can remind councillors of the importance of this issue and that we continue to watch matters very closely.
