76 homes and open space at Ss18 Land West of Burgate, Salisbury Road, Fordingbridge

What was proposed

The application sought approval for 76 homes, open space, infrastructure and the discharge of specified outline-permission conditions.

“Application Number: 25/10905 Reserved Matters Site: SS18 LAND WEST OF BURGATE, SALISBURY ROAD, BURGATE, FORDINGBRIDGE SP6 1LX Development: Reserved matters application for 76 residential dwellings and associated Alternative Natural Recreational Greenspace, public open space, ancillary infrastructure, and discharge of conditions 3, 6, 9-11, 13, 14, 16, 18-24, 27, 30-32, 34, 39 & 40. Pursuant to hybrid planning application ref.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site lies within a larger strategic housing allocation on Fordingbridge’s northern edge and would be served by a new link road.

“The application site is on the northern edge of Fordingbridge. It is within the built-up area of Fordingbridge and is centrally located in a larger site allocated for residential-led mixed- use development, known as Strategic Site 18: Land at Burgate, Fordingbridge.”

“Footpath 83 links Fryern Court Road in the west to Salisbury Road in the east, passing along the southern edge of the site subject to this reserved matter application and the larger site subject to the Outline planning permission.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal broadly consistent with approved parameters and able to deliver housing and public benefits despite several minor design harms.

“Therefore, the proposal brings forward a housing development which overall is considered to be well designed overall but with some design harms (as set out),in line with Local Plan policies, SS18, ENV3 and ENV4 and NPPF paragraph 135 with significant areas of new tree planting, as well as a range of other public benefits relating to the provision of areas of public open space and ANRG land, accessible to existing residents as well as future residents.”

“Overall, it is considered that the balance of considerations is one of approval taking in to account the public benefits and broad compliance with the Development Plan when considered against the identified design harm set out by NFDC Environmental Design described above, that are not considered to go to the heart of the design and layout of the reserved matter application, or render it unacceptable.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Most technical consultees raised no objection, while environmental design officers objected and residents raised concerns about traffic, drainage, ecology and amenity.

“Ecology: No objection (04/12/25 & 12/03/26) Condition 18 - Appropriate updated ecology surveys have been undertaken. Condition 19 - CEMP and CEcMP are satisfactory for this phase and can be discharged.”

“Environmental Design: Objection. (23/03/26) Raise concerns that design quality promised at the outline stage has not been achieved. The application site does not include the land subject to the proposed commercial centre and therefore the scheme fails to deliver a distinctive village centre. The lack of street trees along the link road through the site is unacceptable. Parking courtyards have not been well designed.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke, and the applicant was available to answer questions; the local ward member also spoke and voted after declaring an interest.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted the application subject to conditions, with the conditions and reasons set out in the officer recommendation and update.

“The Case Officer provided a short update, with reference to the Committee Updates document circulated prior to the meeting.”

“As set out in the report and the Committee Update sheet.”

Minutes