ADD UPDATE, 25 July 2024: ADD has received several reports from concerned residents of Fair Oak and neighbouring areas who suspect that developers are pre-empting the planning process by earmarking large areas of countryside for new housing estates. If successful, they would go a long way to reviving Option C of the previous Eastleigh Local Plan (see image above), which was so roundly rejected by the Planning Inspector only a few years ago.
Whilst endorsing the need for new housing, ADD fears that some companies are trying to force the hand of Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC), ignoring the agreed timetable for determining where new homes should be built. It is our view that the sites being promoted remain totally unacceptable on environmental and infrastructure grounds and would be unlikely to provide the type of housing that the area needs.
As we reported last year, Croudace have acquired the rights to build 1,500 new homes on a 192-acre site off Mortimers Lane. Since then, their surveyors have been out in force sizing up the area with a view to creating detailed plans.
More recently, Bloor homes have unveiled proposals for a 250-property estate between Pembers Hill Park and East Horton Golf Club. They have launched a ‘public consultation’ (in reality a superficial PR exercise), giving people just three weeks to respond during the summer holiday period with no clear instructions as to how to do so.
Ominously, their website states: “The site is currently being promoted for residential development as part of Eastleigh Borough Council’s emerging Local Plan.”
In response to an email from ADD, EBC planning policy manager Graham Tuck gave an assurance that the council is still a long way from deciding which sites to favour for future building. He said he expects to undertake an ‘issues and options’ public consultation in late autumn, adding this would be led by the council rather than developers.
“We are reassured that the council intends to take control of the new Local Plan, unlike with the previous one,” said ADD chair David Ashe. “It is vital that we end up with the right type of housing in the right places, rather than bending to the profit-driven motives of the developers.”
ADD will be providing regular updates as the new Local Plan process hots up. If you wish to be on our mailing list, please contact us at [email protected]. We greatly value feedback and tip-offs from residents, so do keep us informed of developments.
