AJC Group set to start work on 25 homes at Dibden Purlieu

Plans to build 25 homes on a greenfield site at Dibden Purlieu were approved in January despite almost 200 objections to the scheme. 

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

Now the applicant, AJC Group, has announced that work on the site at Orchard Gate in Noads Way is likely to start in the summer.

The developer has also released artist's impressions of the proposed development.

Work on a 25-home development at Noads Way, Dibden Purlieu, is set to startt in the summer (Image: AJC Group)

An AJC spokesperson said the 2.2-acre site provided an opportunity to deliver much-needed housing for the local community.

They added: "The Hythe and Dibden Neighbourhood Development Plan has highlighted a need for smaller more affordable housing that is suitable for first-time buyers and young families.

"AJC Group’s plans comprise 25 family homes with a mixture of two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four-bedroom houses."

READ MORE: Plan to build 25 homes at Orchard Gate in Dibden Purlieu approved despite objections

The spokesperson said the scheme included 56 parking spaces, plus secure bike storage facilities and two areas of open space.

Work on a 25-home development at Noads Way, Dibden Purlieu is set to start in the summer (Image: AJC Group)

Simon McFarlane, planning director at AJC Group, added: "We are thrilled to have received the go-ahead from the Planning Inspectorate for our development plans in Dibden Purlieu.

"It’s disappointing we were forced to go down the appeal route and suffer additional expense and delays when it was clear that this is a sustainable development proposal that should have received support from the council’s decision makers. 

“At AJC Group, our aim is to deliver lasting change by building affordable homes in sustainable vibrant communities, and this is exactly our vision for Dibden Purlieu.

"There is a shortage of housing in the New Forest area, particularly for first-time buyers and those looking for affordable housing options.

"We're looking forward to getting started on site and providing the opportunity for 25 local families to secure their future home."

READ MORE: AJC Group appeals after plan to build homes off Noads Way, Dibden Purlieu, rejected by council

The outcome of the appeal marked the end of a planning battle that began in 2021 when the applicant submitted plans for 37 homes on the site.

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.