A RURAL road in North Baddesley could see its speed limit cut in half because of a new residential development.

Last year, plans for a 300-strong estate were approved by Test Valley Borough Council.

The properties will eventually be accessed through three separate junctions to Hoe Lane – which is currently a national speed limit route (60mph).

The development on the road was initially established by developer The Ashfield Partnership in 2016. This was when the borough’s local plan was approved by a government inspector.

At first, 500 homes were planned but North Baddesley councillors campaigned to reduce the number by 200.

In an email seen by the Advertiser, Hampshire County Council’s Safer Roads Team said: “There are proposals for a residential development to be constructed to the north of Hoe Lane, which will be accessed through the provision of three separate junctions on to Hoe Lane.

“This lane is a long, narrow rural road with numerous tight bends, and therefore, it is proposed that the existing national speed limit (60mph) is to be reduced past the new development to 30mph to support the new residential area, and allow for greater visibility at the new accesses, improving road safety.”

Design plans for the estate were approved earlier this month.

At the time, councillor Alan Dowden, who represents Valley Park on TVBC, said he believes the development is an achievement councillors can be proud of following negotiations with The Ashfield Partnership.

He said: “We are very pleased with the outcome and we wanted to have a development that everybody could be proud of in the end, and I think we have achieved that.

“I am sure in the long term people will be pleased with it.”

Councillor Celia Dowden, who represents North Baddesley on TVBC, said it was crucial that construction lorries will use the A3057 at Ashfield to access the development to avoid driving through residential areas.

Ms Dowden explained: “We queried and made sure that the arrangement for construction vehicles is they have to enter from the A3057, and not go through Rownhams Lane where residential areas are.

“We also asked that when construction has finished that a weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes is put at each end of Hoe Lane to prevent lorries using it as a cut-through.

“There has been a lot of thought that has gone into this and I think people will be happily surprised when they see what will be developed there, because it is a lovely site.

“How could it not be when it is surrounded by fields?”