Bartley residents oppose plans for houses in New Forest field

The affordable homes are planned for a field just off New Inn Road in Bartley.

New Inn Road resident Steve Penfold is one of 26 who lodged an official objection on the New Forest District Council planning application website.

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"Most people are horrified," the 59-year-old said. "Everyone parks up and down New Inn Road because there's a school there. Some kid is going to get killed.

"Bartley is served by buses on two days a week and every new development site must have appropriate public transport. It will bring cars back into the country, which the local plan must prevent.

"Before you know it, Bartley would become a mini Totton."

He added that the site, to the east of New Inn Road, had always been used as a field.

Plans for Bartley in the New Forest. Image: NFNPA planning application.

"While everyone knows affordable houses are needed in the New Forest, the local plan has very strict rules under which the developments under which the rural application sites must adhere.

"Like lots of areas in the New Forest, public transport here in Bartley is poor to say the very least, as we only get buses on two days a week.

"Train stations are over three miles away and an hour's walk. There's a massive traffic issue on this site."

The plans are for six houses (four two-bedroom and two three-bedroom) and four (two-bedroom) flats on the field.

The application, made by the English Rural Housing Association, covers 0.8 acres of land.

Out of 30 responses, only one supported the plans and three were neutral.

Shepherds Road resident Joanne Kelleher-Browne said that the plans had her "full support".

She wrote that the houses will not be for general sale and will "enable local people or [those with] links to the village to apply for one".

"This supports the younger generation who are unable to rent or buy locally due to high costs," she added.

The plans would also include 20 new cycle spaces.

The consultation period for the application ends today (September 2).

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