A DEVELOPER has been drumming up support for a major scheme near a new nursery near Romsey. 

An applicant called Hanslip has submitted a scheme for a 96-place nursery and two houses on the the former Ashfield bakery site in Southampton Road, Romsey. 

In an unusual move, the developer Paul Airey Planning has been collecting signatures of people across three areas around the town. 

The application is a resubmission of one that was refused by Test Valley Borough Council using delegated powers in October 2023. 

The only public comment on the scheme has come from Romsey Town Council's planning committee, which objected over concerns about it being development in the countryside and it being on a main road. 

A total of 156 signatures were collected. In a covering letter, Paul Airey said: “The survey was undertaken by Jigsaw Early Years Consultancy and focussed on three geographical areas, Premier Way at Abbey Park industrial estate, residential areas in the Luzborough area, and at Memorial Park in Romsey. 

READ MORE: Town councillors split on countryside nursery plan objection

Nursery plan CGI (Image: TVBC)

“The purpose of the survey was to collect signatures of support to the scheme and a target of 150 was set. People or properties were selected at random and respondents were shown plans of the proposal and its location. People were then asked if they would be prepared to support the application and, if so, signed the forms which are attached. 

“Respondents were specifically asked if they were happy for the signed form to be shared. Only two people questioned refused to sign the form and the impression gained by the canvassers was that there are serious concerns about the lack of nursery provision in the area, and that the proposed scheme would be beneficial to the community.”

He added: “It is not suggested that the poll is representative of the population of Romsey or is necessarily impartial, but it does represent an interesting snapshot of the public view of the need for this type of development, and I would be grateful if this information (caveated as necessary) could be included as part of your report to members of the planning committee.”

The planning statement argued that the nursery is needed due to demand. It said: “Permitting this development would provide significant economic and social benefits to the area and help address a serious shortfall of nursery places. This shortfall is likely to increase with the increased demand that will be created by recent additional government allowances to parents to facilitate parental employment.”

For more information about the plans, search 24/00907/FULLS on Test Valley Borough Council's online planning portal.