The proposed development site is identified for housing and employment uses under draft policy SS14 of the emerging New Forest District Council Local Plan. This allocation establishes the principle of residential development on the land.
The site measures approximately 27.5 hectares. The site is bounded by existing residential to the south and west, the A31 to the north and Nouale Lane to the east with the New Forest National Park beyond.
There are a range of facilities including shops, places to eat, schools, and health and leisure facilities within the local area.
Site Considerations
Before we start designing a new scheme, we complete an assessment of the site and the surrounding area as they are at the moment. We record those features we will need to take into account in our design.
Access and Movement
We have looked at the pattern of roads around the site, the best places to get in and out and connections to the surrounding area for cars, cycles and pedestrians. We have also looked at the provision of public transport around the site. We will use this information to design the entrances, key streets, cycleways and paths for the development. A new vehicular access is proposed in the north of the site from the A31 and from Hightown Road in the south. Additional pedestrian and cycle access points are proposed across the site.
Flooding and drainage
The proposed development will incorporate Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in the form of attenuation ponds and storage areas to ensure that the development is not at risk of flooding and surface water can be managed.
Environment
We have undertaken surveys to assess the current uses and ecology on site, which will shape the planning process and allow us to create a design that complements the existing environment. This has identified the opportunity to create a large area of parkland in the form of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) to provide recreation and leisure opportunities for both existing and future residents. There are also opportunities throughout the site to provide additional planting, landscape and ecological enhancement and wildlife benefits.
Employment
An area for employment uses is proposed in the north of the site to provide land including for starter and smaller scale businesses.