Political opponents have hit out at New Forest District Council leaders over the collapse of £1 billion plans to build 1,500 homes on the site of Fawley Power Station.
Liberal Democrats say the loss of affordable housing contained within the development is of real concern to residents living within a district with a housing shortage.
Malcolm Wade, Leader of the Lib Dem Group on New Forest District Council, has hit out at council leaders, who say they are working with developers on a new plan for Fawley Waterside.
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He said "Of major concern to local Liberal Democrats is the loss of affordable housing contained within the development. This was a golden opportunity, now snatched away, to provide much needed housing stock to alleviate our significant housing challenges right across the district. What concerns local people now is the prolonged delay whilst discussions over the use and future development of the site takes place. That could take months, if not years.
"We want New Forest District Council to contribute to the design of this development to ensure it benefits the existing local environment, local Waterside residents and produces sustainable development for future Waterside residents to live in.
"In the meantime, the development of the Freeport continues apace; in the refinery and ABP plans for the Dibden Bay, which are not on hold and our A326 continues to be tinkered with by the County Council including bus lanes going nowhere much to exasperation of all drivers.
"The sanguine attitude of the NFDC administration is hardly the right response and on behalf of the affected communities right along the Waterside we’re calling for a prompt response from all parties to show some sound leadership and early resolution."
Fawley Waterside this week confirmed that planning applications for the redevelopment of the former Fawley Power Station site into 1,500 homes, plus commercial and community facilities and a school, have been formally withdrawn.
In 2017, a consortium unveiled proposals to provide 1,500 homes, plus a raft of commercial and community facilities, including a new primary school.
It published several CGIs showing a Venice-style development with elegant buildings overlooking a canal.
Fawley power station has already been demolished to make way for the scheme.
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