Five warehouse buildings at Calmore Croft Farm, Calmore, Netley Marsh

What was proposed

Five warehouse buildings, ancillary offices, parking, cycle and bin stores, landscaping and infrastructure were proposed under an existing outline permission.

“The New Forest National Park is located immediately to the west of the A326, to the west of the site. 3PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT Reserved Matters application for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale pursuant to outline planning permission ref. 24/10199 "Erection of up to 22,000sqm of employment use for logistic/warehouses (Use Classes B2 and B8) and ancillary office space".”

“Reserved Matter detail submission 6. Development phasing 11. Detailed surface water drainage design 17. Contaminated land survey 21. Close existing vehicular access 22. Noise survey 4PLANNING HISTORY Proposal Decision DateDecision Description Status Application Site 24/10199 Outline planning application for the erection of up to 22,000sqm of employment use for logistic/warehouses (Use Classes B2 and B8) and ancillary office space with all matters reserved except for…”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The site is former agricultural, pig-farm and construction-yard land beside Salisbury Road and the A326, with mature protected trees and nearby development.

“The site straddles the boundary between Totton and Eling Town and Netley Marsh Parish. It is a substantial portion of the Local Plan Strategic Allocation SS1 'Land to the North of Totton' that covers a larger area of land from the existing residential area of Calmore, either side of Pauletts Lane, to the A326 in the west and beyond the A36 Salisbury Road, towards the M27 in the north.”

“There are mature trees around the edges of the site and along former field boundaries. Many of the trees are protected by a tree preservation order and some are veteran trees. There are two existing vehicular accesses from Salisbury Road in-to the application site.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Most consultees raised no objection, while ecology and environmental design officers objected over lighting, visual impact, massing and cladding.

“7COUNCILLOR COMMENTS No comments received 8CONSULTEE COMMENTS Comments have been received from the following consultees: New Forest District Council Conservation: No Objection (27/02/26) No further comments in addition to those given in response to the Outline planning permission. Ecology: Objection (19/06/26 & 30/03/26) The submitted lighting strategy doesn't assess or identify dark corridors and design the lighting strategy accordingly.”

Officer report

Public concerns

Representations opposed the application because of building scale, traffic, pollution, noise, wildlife, tree loss, flooding and utility concerns.

“Size and scale of buildings, proximity to the edge of the site and visual impact on the appearance of the area and fails to achieve a gradual transition from urban Southampton to forest edge. ·Increase in traffic.”

“Increase in pollution, especially nighttime lighting ·Increase in noise, from general operations and especially vehicle manoeuvring alarms and nighttime working. ·Adverse effect on wildlife on site and impact on New Forest habitats. Loss of trees and ensuring appropriately sized replacements are secured. ·Off-site highway flood risk ·Impact on provision of electricity, broadband and sewerage utilities infrastructure.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke, and Councillor J Reilly declared a non-pecuniary interest as ward councillor before speaking and voting.

The decision

“Decision: Grant subject to conditions. Conditions/Reasons: As set out in the report. b Land rear of Willow Cottage, Hightown Road, Hightown, Ringwood, BH24 3DY (Application”

Minutes, 8 Jul 2026