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Concerns over scheme for homes off A339 in Headley




Ashford Hill with Headley Parish Council has objected to plans to build a handful of new homes over a tree nursery.

Paul Wakelyn has applied for permission in principle to build one to four homes off the A339, on a site opposite Upper Knightsbridge Farm.

Access to the site would be via the existing entrance into the site.

The site is currently a tree nursery (56986846)
The site is currently a tree nursery (56986846)

A planning statement by Bell Cornwell on behalf of Mr Wakelyn argues that the scheme would have economic, social and environmental benefits.

It says: “The development would provide economic benefits in terms of jobs and associated business activity during the construction phase and the future occupants would support the local economy through consumer spending on goods and services.

“The development would contribute to the housing land supply. The site is accessible to local services and is not ‘isolated’.

“The proposal will deliver housing of similar scale and character to surrounding development and will retain the mature trees around the perimeter which provide screening of views into the site.”

However, the local parish council has criticised the plans, labelling it as an “over urbanisation of a rural setting”, adding that it had concerns over highway safety and that Headley lacked the amenities to deal with the increase in housing.

It said the “proposed development will significantly change the look, characteristic and population of Headley” and that further urbanisation would “add nothing to the characteristics of this ancient village”.

It added: “The junction with the A339 has poor visibility.

“This factor and the speed of traffic on the A339 has led to a number of accidents (and near misses) over a long period and there is significant concern that any increase in traffic volumes will exacerbate the situation significantly.

“There have been three accidents within close proximity to the access. There are grave safety concerns on this section of the road.”

The application is only for permission in principle, meaning a decision will just be on the location and the scale of the development proposed.

It will now go to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for consideration.

To view the plans, head to the council’s planning portal and enter the reference 22/01504/PIP.



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