Dibden Purlieu Orchard Gate 25-home plan approved despite objections

New Forest District Council's decision to reject the application has been overturned by a government-appointed planning inspector following a public inquiry that was held last year.

AJC Group has been given the go-ahead to develop a two-acre site at Orchard Gate in Noads Way, Dibden Purlieu.

The inspector's ruling marks the end of a planning battle that began in 2021 when the applicant submitted plans for 37 homes on the site.

An aerial view of the two=acre site at Orchard Gate in Noads Way, Dibden Purlieu (Image: Morgan Carey Achitects)

Councillors rejected the scheme and AJC'S subsequent proposal to build 25 homes was refused in 2022 after many of the 193 objectors claimed the proposal amounted to overdevelopment.

A council report said the L-shaped site was mainly used for grazing horses.

It acknowledged that AJC had tried to overcome the previous reasons for refusal by reducing the number of homes and altering the layout, but said the scheme still failed to reflect the site's surroundings.

READ MORE: Developer submits plan to build almost 40 homes in Dibden Purlieu

The report included comments by the authority's environment team.

They said the absence of "meaningful" front gardens, the lack of greenery between homes, and the shortage of space for trees to grow would create an environment that was "completely at odds" with its setting.

The report said the scheme would provide more homes in a built-up area, delivering economic, environmental, and social benefits.

But it added: "These benefits and the contribution of the scheme to housing delivery would be outweighed by the clear harm to the character of the area arising from the scale and layout of the development."

An artist's impression of the proposed development at Orchard Gate in Noads Way, Dibden Purlieu (Image: Morgan Carey Architects)

AJC appealed against the council's decision and has finally secured consent to build homes on the land.

The inspector's report describes the paddock as "inconsistent" with the residential use of surrounding sites.

READ MORE: New plan to build housing on grazing land at Orchard Gate in Dibden Purlieu

Referring to evidence given at the public inquiry it adds: "There was no dispute between the main parties that the site would provide housing to meet both national and local need.

"The mix of house sizes and the provision of affordable units would contribute towards a mixed and balanced community."

The report says the proposed development would result in a moderate level of harm to the character and area and fails to make adequate provision for recreation and public open space.

But it adds: "The adverse impact of granting permission would not significantly outweigh the benefits of the scheme."