Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) has launched a second consultation on its emerging local plan, as it is required to do by recent changes to the national planning system. This gives residents one more chance to influence the outcome.
The government has instructed EBC to find room for nearly ten thousand new homes on greenfield sites between now and 2044. Unfortunately, the question is not whether to approve the additional housing, but where it should go.
ADD urges supporters to take part in the survey, even if you have already responded to the first one. The outcome will profoundly affect the character of where we live.
The deadline is September 24.
How to respond
The main consultation document has more than forty pages. It sets out the issues and is worth reading, but is not for busy people with little time to spare. To simplify matters, here is a quicker way forward for anyone who wishes to take part.
- Go to General Comments.
- When asked which question you wish to answer, Question 10 of the scoping document is key: ‘Would you prefer that we focus most growth in SDOs?’
There are four SDOs (Strategic Growth Options) – each one accounting for potentially well over 1,000 new homes. The answer to Question 10 has to be ‘yes’ for the simple reason that the council can only achieve the required numbers by accepting at least two but almost certainly three of the SDOs. This question gives you the chance to comment on the options.
The ADD view
We consider that three of the four Strategic Development Options have merit, whilst the fourth would have a catastrophic impact on our already over-crowded roads. To take them in reverse alphabetical order:
Option D (Hedge End – up to 1240 homes) Map D
The government wants councils to build near railway stations to encourage the use of public transport. Option D ticks this box, and would not contribute significantly to urban sprawl.
Options C & B (Allington Lane – C up to 5,230 homes, B up to 3,370) Map B / Map C
These two can be considered together as they are both in Allington Lane. C is on the West End side of the railway line, whilst B is close to Fair Oak.
Crucially, C & B would put less pressure on our roads than the other options. They are close to existing public transport services and they have the potential to incorporate cycle and walkways to local amenities and places of work. In the medium term, it would be feasible to build a station nearby between Hedge End and Eastleigh. These options could also incorporate a substantial strategic gap between the new settlements and West End – an opportunity to create a wildlife park for residents to enjoy.
Option A (Mortimers Lane, Fair Oak – up to 3,320 homes) – Map A
This is a rehash of Option C of the previous local plan, which was roundly rejected by the government planning inspector. The objections have become even stronger since then as there is no longer any scope to build a relief road to reduce congestion.
Option A would add greatly to urban sprawl and, not having adequate bus services, would mean thousands of extra car journeys every day on roads that are already a nightmare at peak times. As well as its impact on Fair Oak, it would cause more traffic misery in Colden Common, Twyford, Upham and the South Downs National Park.
An application by Bloor Homes to build 400 houses off Mortimers Lane was rejected unanimously by the Local Area Committee. Expect it to re-emerge if Option A is approved. Croudace, meanwhile, intend to put forward their own scheme for thousands of new homes in the area. Let’s use this survey as an opportunity to tell them and EBC what we think of the idea.
This is a critical time for the future of our borough. ADD is very grateful to those supporters who responded to previous consultations. We ask you to do so again.
You can read more and take part by clicking HERE.
The main page for the scoping consultation can be found HERE.
If you have any queries about the Scoping Consultation, Council staff will be available at a drop in session at The Point, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, SO50 9DE at 3pm – 7pm, Monday 14 September 2026
About ADD: Action against Destructive Development recognises the need for new housing, and seeks to ensure that it is carried out in a well planned way that protects the local environment and quality of life. The right homes in the right places.
