Welborne housing development: Fight to save 'hundreds' of trees

Nearly 2,000 people have signed a petition to save trees and a hedge row along Knowle Road which are set to make way for 6,000 homes.

The housing development in Knowle, known as Welborne, is the largest ever approved by Fareham Borough Council, also including three primary schools and healthcare and leisure facilities.

Kayleigh Rooke, 35, who set up the petition, has lived in Knowle for five years. She reckons 150 to 200 trees could disappear if plans go ahead. 

The Welborne development will bring 6,000 homes to the village of Knowle near Fareham (Image: Submitted)

Kayleigh Rooke has lived in Knowle for five years (Image: Submitted)

She said: “While residents are not happy about the Welborne housing that is going up around our village, we have come to accept this is set in stone.

“But what residents have been poorly informed of, is the impact that this will have along our road and our wildlife corridor.

“Not only will this have a detrimental impact on the current wildlife corridor, but I can’t help but wonder what impact it will have on residents’ mental wellbeing.

“Most have moved to Knowle to be in a rural setting. Now they will be swamped by an area the size of Petersfield.

“Considering we are in a fragile time with global warming and losing our wildlife corridors due to housing demand, there should be a compromise between the council, developers and residents.

“As residents, we feel hugely ignored and disregarded.”

Kayleigh says 150 to 200 trees are set to be felled (Image: Submitted)

The petition to save trees along Knowle Road has reached nearly 2,000 signatures (Image: Submitted)

The trees are due to be felled to make way for a new roundabout set to be built in early 2024 to link the north and south side of the new Welbourne estate.

Plans were approved in 2019.

Cllr Walker, Chairman of the Fareham Planning Committee, said: “There is a shortfall of housing across Hampshire and Fareham is no exception. 

“But the way in which housing is provided is often one of the most contentious issues because of the impact it can have on existing infrastructure such as roads, schools and medial provision. 

“Welborne Garden Village has been planned with these concerns very much in mind. 

“With extensive areas of green space including parks, recreation grounds and sports pitches, Welborne will have its own schools, a district shopping centre, a village centre, medical services, and many community facilities for its residents.

“Outline planning permission for Welborne was issued almost two years ago and works are now underway in preparation for the changes to the local road network required to support the new development.”