PLANS for 1,500 new homes at a major Hampshire industrial site have moved a step closer as civic chiefs have backed the scheme.

Members of the National Park Authority (NPA) have approved proposals to build 120 homes and a primary school, plus flood defences and a sea wall, on land surrounding the Fawley power station site.

The plans are linked to those approved by councillors at New Forest District Council (NFDC)on July 27, when they gave the go-ahead to plans for 1,380 homes, a 2,100-space car park and 95,300 square metres of new commercial, civic and employment space on land  occupied by the former Fawley power station.

Both plans were put forward by Fawley Waterside Ltd.

Due to the location of the new development,  both NFDC and the NPA had to agree the  applications for the whole project to go ahead.

At a special planning meeting held yesterday, officers told members that the plans for 120 homes and a school on land adjacent to the main power station site “meet the policy test”.

Talking to members officer Natalie Walter said: “In summary the principle of the development has been established through the Local Plan in allocating this site and a major development.”

But some residents raised concerns over the impact the scheme would have on traffic and the Forest.

Bernard Austin, representing Friends of the New Forest, said the development of a new town would have a “serious, detrimental  effect on the New Forest”.

As reported, residents also raised concerns over the impact of the new development on the A326.

But civic chiefs and developers stressed that some improvement schemes for the A326 have already been agreed. These include the upgrade of eight junctions along the A326 and the B3053.

Alternative transport is also being considered.

Applicant Aldred Drummond said: “The major concern has been the A326 and rat-running on Forest roads. The road improvements are significant, are being implemented in 2021, well before the development starts and the roundabout improvements at Applemore and Dibden will substantially improve traffic flow.”

He said the development will boost the local economy and will create 2,300 jobs.

He told members: “Enormous care has gone in to preparing this application and your permission will be transformative, changing a vast, brutal power station into a town of beauty and enhancing this area of the Forest.”

Cllr Barry Rickman said: “The commitment to the well-being of the financial part of the Forest and protecting the Forest, they go together. We have got a lot to do in the future to work  together and to do the best we can to protect the New Forest.”