Plan to build homes on Bartley field sparks flooding fears

Members of the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) are being urged to support an application to provide ten affordable properties on agricultural land at Bartley.

But critics of the proposed development have raised concerns that the scheme could exacerbate problems faced by people living in homes bordering the field.

Neighbouring streets include New Inn Road, which often floods after heavy rain.

Residents say the land slopes away, allowing floodwater entering it to drain away. They claim the planned recontouring of the site would result in water flowing towards nearby properties instead.

An artist's impression of the proposed development at New Inn Road, Bartley (Image: ArchitecturePLB)

Critics of the English Rural Housing Association application include David Cormack, of Oakfield Road.

In an email to the NPA he said: "The local residents and their families who have raised objections have done so with good reason.

"Who will guarantee that the power cuts we have had every year for 34 [years], due to excessive flooding, will not get worse?"

READ MORE: Plan to build affordable homes on agricultural land behind Haywain pub at Bartley

John Goodwin, 76, of Chinham Road, said the drainage scheme included underground storage and a controlled discharge via the existing watercourse network.

Mr Goodwin, who worked for a housebuilder, added: "A high-quality sustainable drainage system can deliver multiple benefits but needs to be integrated within the layout of buildings, roads, and public open space of new developments to ensure the efficient use of the land.

"What is now proposed, whilst technically acceptable, is undoubtedly a poor-quality solution."

Asked about the scheme as a whole he added: "I'm not against it - I just want it done properly."

An artist's impression of the proposed development at New Inn Road, Bartley (Image: ArchitecturePLB)

Some of the 40 objectors say floodwater will be "displaced" if the homes are built. They also claim that surveys were not carried out at the right time of year and fail to accurately reflect flooding problems.

READ MORE: Residents oppose plans to build homes in New Forest field

An NPA report acknowledges that "significant" concerns have been raised about surface water run-off.

It adds that the applicant's initial proposal was not supported by the lead local flood authority (LLFA) but adds: "Further survey work was conducted and an existing ditch within the site was identified.

"The drainage strategy was revised to make use of this ditch, into which surface water run-off already drains, and the concerns of the LLFA have been overcome."

NPA members are due to debate the application on Tuesday.