Plans to build 60 homes on a greenfield site between Totton and the M27 motorway have been given the green light.
Civic chiefs have approved an application by Bargate Homes and Vivid Homes to develop more than nine acres of agricultural land west of Hill Street, Calmore.
About 35 per cent of the properties will be affordable, and an Alternative Natural Recreational Green Space (ANRG) will be provided at the centre of the scheme.
The application was given the go-ahead at a meeting of the district council's planning and development control committee.
Totton and Eling Town Council had objected to the scheme, citing the impact of extra traffic on Hill Street and the additional demand on services and facilities.
The application also sparked nine letters of objection from people worried about the effect on the character and appearance of the area.
READ MORE: Bargate Homes and Vivid Housing submit plan to build 60 homes near Hill Street, Calmore
One critic described Hill Street as a single-track country lane that was a "totally unsuitable" location for 60 houses occupied by people likely to own at least 120 cars.
The objector claimed that access to the development could be provided from the A36 Salisbury Road.
But a report to councillors said the new homes would make a "positive contribution" and would help meet the housing needs of the district.
Members voted ten to one in favour of the application.
Cllr Barry Rickman, a former leader of the council, described it as a "brilliant" scheme that made a welcome change from applications to build retirement homes.
Bargate is planning to provide 27 flats and maisonettes, plus 33 terraced and semi-detached houses. The 21 homes managed by Vivid will be a mix of social rent, affordable rent, and shared ownership tenures.
READ MORE: Bargate Homes given planning permission to build more than 100 energy-efficient homes at Pennington
Mark White, managing director of Bargate Homes, said: "We’re thrilled to have received the go-ahead for our development.
"It's well known there is a shortage of housing opportunities for local people in the New Forest, so we are pleased to have the opportunity to deliver 60 beautiful mixed-tenure homes.
"The highly energy-efficient houses and apartments will benefit from vast amounts of green space and an array of good amenities on the doorstep.
"We’re pleased to be working with the district council to help meet local housing needs and look forward to being able to break ground on this site in the coming months.”
The scheme includes 143 parking spaces. Each property will have an EV car charging point.
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