Mixed-use redevelopment at Browndown Training Camp, Lee-on-the-Solent

The site and its setting

The site was a former military camp between two roads, near active military training land, protected habitats, heritage assets and the Alver Valley Country Park.

“This application relates to Browndown Camp, a broadly triangular plot of land totalling 3.76Ha situated between Privett Road and Browndown Road at the western end of Stokes Bay. The site is a former military barracks, and together with the adjacent vegetated shingle and beach to the south, and areas to the north of Privett Road comprised Browndown Training Camp.”

“To the south and west of the site is the Browndown Military Training Area, which continues to be used for active military training purposes including the use of blank ammunition, pyrotechnics and heavy machinery such as boats, hovercrafts and helicopters. The site is also used for ordnance disposal.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and changes

No relevant planning history was identified, while the application was amended to revise access, remove retirement living and improve design, landscaping and acoustic measures.

“The application has been amended from that originally submitted following a number of concerns raised by the Local Planning Authority and its consultees. The LPA has worked constructively with the applicant and a further period of consultation took place following the submission of amended plans and documents ending on 12 February 2026. The main changes include the following:”

“- Revised access arrangements including the retention of an access to serve the commercial use from Browndown Road and the inclusion of a Copenhagen style main access from Privett Road; - The omission of a three-storey retirement living block to the east of the site which is replaced by two-storey dwellinghouses; - The omission of the community café; - The omission of a dwelling above the commercial units; - Revised design concept for dwellings, care home and commercial…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the housing, affordable homes, care provision, brownfield redevelopment and public benefits outweighed harm to the settlement gap, flooding and noise concerns.

“Weighing favourably in the planning balance, the proposal would deliver 57 two and three- bedroom family dwellings, including a policy compliant provision of 23 affordable homes in the form of Shared Ownership and Affordable Rent, which would make a significant contribution to the Borough's housing need. Furthermore, the development would deliver a 68-bed care home providing accommodation for residents with high-dependency care needs.”

“Having careful regard to Paragraphs 11 of the NPPF and the application of the 'titled balance', it is considered that the application of policies within the Framework that protect areas or assets of particular importance would not provide a 'strong' reason for refusal.”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

Most technical consultees raised no objection subject to mitigation, while the Gosport Society and residents objected over policy, design, traffic, parking, flooding, ecology and the site’s character.

“Hampshire And Isle Of Wight Integrated Care Board No objection subject to mitigation: The proposed development will create an estimated population of 129 new residents based on an average household size of 2.26. The closest GP surgeries with a catchment boundary covering the application site include Blossom Health: Gosport, Rowner Health Centre, The Willow Group: Gosport Medical Centre & Solent View Medical Practice.”

“- Impact on surrounding highway network and increased congestion; - There should be a traffic light controlled junction on Privett Road to assist egress or a ghost island to aid right hand turning into the site; - No justification for a Toucan crossing on Browndown Road - this should be a shared use parallel crossing; - Suitable road markings should be required across the site entrance onto Privett Road and across each internal road to give…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant and the applicant’s planning director spoke in support, describing local housing and care needs, affordable homes, design quality, public routes and economic benefits.

What members debated

Members discussed military noise, future occupants’ awareness, primary-care funding, heritage, traffic, housing need, public benefits and the balance between the proposal’s advantages and disadvantages.

“Members expressed concerns that the proposal was located adjacent to an active military site, where live shooting took place regularly. It was accepted that the decision to propose properties close to that was a commercial one and that the applicants had considered this and accepted it would continue. It was advised that occupants would be informed.”

“Members also acknowledged that the proposal would bring significant improvements/benefits including a pedestrian crossing and much needed family housing for local people given the affordable provision proposed..”

Minutes

The vote and decision

The Board approved the application subject to the report’s conditions, a legal agreement, the Natural England requirement and delegated authority over conditions and possible refusal if the agreement was not completed.

“RECOMMENDATION A: that, subject to no adverse comment being received from Natural England in respect of the Local Authority's HRA Appropriate Assessment, authority be delegated to the Head of Development Management to Grant Planning Permission subject to the prior completion of a legal agreement pursuant to S106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) to secure the following planning obligations and subject to the following conditions;”

Minutes