A DEVELOPER has updated plans for a major new development, which includes more than 1,000 homes at Whitenap.

The application is for 1,100 homes with open space, roads, parking, service infrastructure, local food production and landscaping.

It has been submitted by the Ashfield Partnership, which comprises the Ashfield Estate as landowner and three developers: C G Fry and Son Ltd, Morrish Homes, and Wyatt Homes.

The development has been scrutinised by Romsey people and groups since the outline application was submitted last year.

One of the major concerns was over a railway bridge that would connect the development to Romsey town centre. However, this has not appeared in the updates.

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Cllr Nick Adams-King, who represents Romsey Rural on Hampshire County Council, previously spoke in opposition to the scheme. He told the Advertiser that the development would be 'unsustainable' without the bridge.

He said: “Much of this update is technical. I am pleased to see that there is currently no plan for a bus gate at St Barbe Close, although the fact that the option remains open for one to be instigated remains a concern. I will continue to talk with Hampshire County Council and the bus companies to ensure appropriate local transport provision is provided without causing disturbance to existing residents. The key for me remains the railway bridge providing pedestrian and cycle links to the town centre. 

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“Without it I would argue strongly the development is unsustainable, the developers must provide much more detail and certainty about this vital new link before the application is considered by the Southern Area planning committee.”

Richard Buss, a member of the Romsave group, said: “We are disappointed the Ashfield Partnership has paid little or no attention to the voices of the residents of Romsey. 

“There is no mention of the bridge, the Northern Park has been reduced to a strip in order to provide more homes, there is no on-site sports provision, the four-storey buildings are too high and will harm the character of the area, the density of housing is too high, the school is in the wrong place and the town centre is not in the centre. 

“We hope this application is refused and the Ashfield Partnership are forced to go back to the drawing board and deliver what they signed up for - even if there is a significant reduction in housing numbers - that is right for the site and right for Romsey.”

A spokesman for the Ashfield Partnership said: “The bus gate was a request from Hampshire County Council but it was not part of our application and that remains the case.

“The location for the primary school is the one preferred by Hampshire and Test Valley Borough Councils. We remain open minded so the location could change at reserved matters stage.”

To view the details of the plan, search 22/01213/OUTS on Test Valley Borough Council's planning portal.