COUNTY highways officers want more information about plans to build nine homes in New Milton before giving any recommendations to district planners.
Hoburne Development Company Ltd is seeking permission from New Forest District Council to build the dwellings on land off Manor Farm Close in Christchurch Road.
The work would require demolishing existing commercial buildings and extending the curtilage of existing residences, plus the construction of bin and cycle stores, new access points and parking spaces.
Part of the proposed development site
Hampshire County Council’s transport planner Zara Rogers wrote to NFDC to say the developer has not provided the “geometry and form” for the two proposed access points at the site.
She also noted that tracking information about vehicular movements has not been provided by the applicant, and that information about refuse collection is “not clearly shown” in its submitted plans.
Concluding her letter, she added: “The Highway Authority therefore requires additional information regarding the access, before a formal recommendation can be provided.”
A statement from NFDC’s ecology team said they are “generally satisfied” with the proposed development but would still register an objection on several points.
These points include having no assessment on the impact on foraging and commuting bats, with “additional enhancement” measures for them still being required, and “inconsistent recommendations” in a report on the proposed works.
NFDC’s environmental health officer Craig Milligan also requested the applicant provides more information about the impact of noise pollution during construction before he can make an “informed” comment.
In a design and access statement, the applicant told planning officials the development would be a “sustainable form of development” that would contribute to New Milton’s economic and social wellbeing.
It added: “The proposed dwellings would make more efficient use of urban land (and) would provide modern, fit-for-purpose accommodation, meeting an identified need for the range of properties proposed.”
The public consultation on the homebuilding plan ends on Friday, 17th January.