A DEVElOPER has secured permission to build 18 homes and new allotments despite continued objections.

Villagers protested to save their allotments in King’s Somborne when the site was first put up for sale by the Diocese of Winchester in 2018. The proposed sale sparked a petition signed by hundreds of residents.

But since the allotments, in Furzedown Road, fall within the Test Valley Borough Council’s (TVBC) Local Plan developers had the right to put forward planning applications for the 2.5 hectare site.

The council has awarded planning consent to planning consultants Carter Jonas on behalf of Shorewood Homes, to provide 18 homes and new allotments replacing the current allotments which have been based there for more than 100 years.

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The development will include 49 new replacement plots, which the property consultant claims will be of better quality and be more accessible with car parking, a water supply, shared storage, a toilet, raised beds and all-weather paths.

Hampshire Chronicle:

The main concern of whether soil quality will be maintained at the new site persists. In June, King’s Somborne Parish Council sent a letter of objection to the planning team including a report on soil health and site suitability commissioned by the Allotments Association.

The report read: “Stone content was higher at the proposed site compared to the current site. Although stone content is not a challenge for all crops, increased stone content may present a crop quality reduction for susceptible crops, such as root vegetables.”

The council is requesting assurance and the methodology behind how soil quality will be sustained and will continue discussing the issue at the next meeting on Monday, December 12.

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Nicky Brock, from Carter Jonas, said: “We were very pleased to have been able to address specific concerns previously expressed by the planning inspector to gain planning consent for this site. As well as delivering much-needed homes in a wonderful setting, the consented scheme meets the need to provide an equivalent or better reprovision of allotments. The scheme will deliver more attractive, well thought out allotment spaces, ultimately enabling more people to use and enjoy them.”  

Winchester-based housebuilder Shorewood Homes will build the 18 houses, of which seven will be affordable. The scheme will incorporate both private and shared amenities, including large rear gardens, landscaped communal areas and off-street parking.

Richard Wickins, of Shorewood Homes, said: “We will continue to work with the allotment association to deliver the new allotments that will become an important facility for King’s Somborne, alongside 18 exceptional new homes.  We are hoping to start work on the allotment relocation early in 2023 with the housing element starting in 2024.”

The borough council has been contacted for comment.