Pamber End housing development on A340 given green light

Concerns about traffic and flooding thrown out

A housing development in Pamber End has been given the green light, despite the site being located on the edge of a main road between Basingstoke and Tadley.

The outline planning application, submitted by Pamber Place Ltd, for 12 houses and new vehicle and pedestrian access to the A340, between Elmdene and Fairholme, was recommended for approval when it went before Basingstoke councillors last Wednesday.

Pamber Parish Council’s objections to the plan included the application continued ribbon development along the A340, the main route between Basingstoke and Tadley and a blackspot for accidents, something likely to increase as the development’s entrance was almost opposite the Elm Park Garden Centre.

The parish council wrote: “Although there is a 40mph speed limit along this stretch of the A340, it is well known that drivers consistently exceed this limit.”

Les Norris whose property neighbours the site, said it was prone to flooding, which had become worse over the last six years and that his property had been flooded to the level of the door sills.

He concluded: “Pamber End is a hamlet and should be protected from development like this.”

Eight letters of objection raised additional concerns including construction work noise and protected species on the site, including bats and newts, with local schools already oversubscribed.

Borough councillor, Roger Gardiner, (Con Pamber and Silchester) said Queen’s College, Oxford, were of the opinion that the site used to be in the grounds of Pamber Priory and had flagged up possible archeological interest:

However his main concern was drivers exceeding the speed limit along the A340, and he said that “50mph-plus” was nearer the norm.

Speaking on behalf of the developer, Catherine Miles said the development presented a natural infill opportunity.

Despite fronting on to the A340, it was set back from the road, with no urbanising effect. The houses would be a mix of detached and semi-detached, set in spacious plots.

Benefits included short-term construction jobs and new housing, including 40 per cent affordable, while the development was considered sustainable, with little effect on the highway network.

Councillors, including borough councillor Michael Bound (Lib Dem, Baughurst and Tadley North), decided, the issues raised were negligible and the proposals were carried six in favour and three against.