Ageas Bowl: Anger over plans for houses, hotel and care home

Planning permission is being sought for 185 homes, a 71-bed care home, and a 142-bed budget hotel at the site at Marshall Drive, West End.

A wellbeing centre, a new pavilion and improvements to the existing stadium are also proposed.

But Hedge End Town Council has lodged an objection, claiming the scheme amounts to overdevelopment and citing the potential impact on the local infrastructure.

An artist's impression of the proposed new wellbeing centre at the Ageas Bowl (Image: Calderpeel Architects)

Some of the people living near the site are also urging Eastleigh Borough Council to reject the application.

They say the proposed development will put extra strain on health services in the area as well as making roads busier and more dangerous.

A couple living at Telegraph Heights claim highway safety issues will "significantly increase" if the scheme is approved.

Their letter also cites the national shortage of GPs, adding: "Other facilities such as dentists are difficult to locate, with residents having to travel much wider to secure treatment."

READ MORE: Frustration at traffic chaos at Ageas Bowl in West End

Another protester says services are ill-equipped to handle a "drastic" increase in the number of people living in the area.

She adds: "Several neighbours who moved to the area a couple of years ago have not been able to get their children into any of the local schools, despite being within the catchment area.

"As a result, they have to travel quite a distance each day for their children to attend school/nursery."

The application includes a proposal to build 185 homes (Image: Calderpeel Architects)

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board says the scheme will provide accommodation for up to 626 people, adding to the pressure on the NHS.

It warns that extra capacity will be needed at GP surgeries and claims the applicants should help meet the cost.

The proposals have been submitted by Land and Development Advisory and RB Sports and Leisure Holdings.

READ MORE: West End residents 'up in arms' about Ageas Bowl

A planning statement that forms part of the application says existing facilities at the Ageas Bowl provide 500 jobs and contribute £50m a year to the local economy.

It adds: "The continued success of the complex is therefore of significant importance."

The statement says the proposed new wellbeing centre is likely to include a GP consultation space, podiatry consultation rooms and an optician's.

A 297-page transport assessment adds: "The operation of the proposed development would not have an adverse impact upon the highway network."