Plans for Welborne Garden Village near Fareham take another big step forward

Planning applications to ensure the construction of Welborne and an associated natural greenspace were given the green light by councillors at a recent meeting. The project, delivered by Bucklands Development Ltd, comprises 6,000 homes along with a secondary school and three primary schools on land north of Fareham.

SEE ALSO: Hampshire NHS services facing 'overwhelming' demand amid Strep A outbreak - with most hospital beds full

Councillor Nick Walker, chairman of the planning committee said: ‘Two applications were heard in relation to the land at the future Welborne Garden Village site. The first sought approval for the delivery of utility and drainage infrastructure for the first phase of housing construction as well as the associated haul roads and site compounds. This application was approved.

‘Approval was also given for the delivery of a new car park off of Knowle Road, to service the Dashwood Site of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG), which is to be delivered prior to the first residents taking up occupation at Welborne.

‘As well as the car park, a new bridleway route running north to south on the western side of Welborne was approved by the planning committee. This will connect the residents of Welborne with Fareham town and its amenities along a rural path, as opposed to them having to walk alongside the A32.

‘Both of these approvals will ensure that the work commencing at Welborne Garden Village will have as little impact on local residents as possible while ensuring that the newest residents of Welborne are able to access local schools, shops and other amenities while construction continues.’

Both applications received a total of 11 opposing representations from residents and community associations alike.

Mrs BM Clapperton, the secretary for the Fareham Society, said: ‘The existing footpaths on the Welborne site provide an attractive means for local residents to enjoy the countryside north of the M27. The Society notes with concern the harmful impact on these paths during construction works that have been identified by the Hampshire County Council Countryside officer.

‘It is essential that these matters are resolved and the harm is avoided.’