Green light for 35 homes at former Treetops Nurseries site in Fair Oak

At a meeting of the Bishopstoke, Fair Oak and Horton Heath Local Area Committee earlier this month, plans were approved for the new housing at the former Treetops Nurseries site on Allington Lane, Fair Oak.

The scheme, which is now set to see a total of 35 homes built on the 1.28 hectare site, is being lead by the Vistry Group and would mean the demoltion of all existing buildings on the site. 

It is now due to see a mixture of detached, semi-detached and apartment properties built with 35 per cent of these due to be affordable housing.

Plans for new homes East of Allington Lane in Fair Oak. Photo by: Vistry Group.

All of the houses would be two-storey apart from one single flatted block which will be two-and-a-half storeys tall with “green space” also included in the centre of the site.

Speaking after the decision to approve the plans, chair of the planning commitee, Louise Parker-Jones told the Echo that there had been one amendment to ask for additional planting as part of the scheme. 

It comes despite a total of 18 objections from residents during the consultation period, raising issues including traffic, flooding, the loss of greenspace and the privacy of neighbouring properties.

One resident wrote: "The area cannot cope with the houses already here. Fair Oak flooded terrible recently and you want to remove more green spaces which will only add to the drainage problem."

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Meanwhile, another said: "I hope thought has been given to how many more vehicles this will put onto this road."

But in the planning documents, Vistry Group said: “The design has arisen from a firm understanding of the local character and full grasp of the constraints and opportunities, resulting in an appropriate proposal that meets all the development criteria and makes efficient use of the available land."

Access to the new homes would be provided from an existing entrance along Allington Lane with the main route though following the existing drive.

Parking will also be provided through a mixture of on-plot driveways and single garages,
as well as communal parking courts.

The scheme has now been delegated back to the executive head for Planning and Economy at the council in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the local area committee to give the final approval.