Old farmland will be converted into a natural green space in Eastleigh to mitigate the impact of new housing developments in the borough.

Seven wildlife ponds will also be created to promote biodiversity and restore, protect and enhance the natural environment.

Eastleigh Borough Council has approved the conversion of the former farmland of around 20 hectares of Stoke Park Farm in Bishopstoke into a recreational suitable alternative natural green space.

Stoke Park Farm plan. Image: Eastleigh Borough CouncilFarming operations at the site stopped in November 2021 and the site is bordered by Stoke Park Woods, a 17-acre woodland.

The proposals include associated access, use of an existing car park, paths, landscaping, infrastructure and the use of the existing cemetery extension car park as car parking for the green space.

The initial planning application contained a provision for 20 car parking spaces accessing through the residential development along Sewall Drive.

However, due to residents’ concerns about the impact of accessing the car park through the drive, the parking provision is now put forward with the existing cemetery extension car park, which lies further to the west along Sewall Drive, near Stoke Common Road.

This car park lies a short drive along this road when accessing the site from Stoke Common Road. It incorporates 26 parking spaces with suitable direct connecting pedestrian routes from the car park available.

A heavy-duty vehicular barrier will also be installed to prevent public vehicular access.

The green space, which developers say should mitigate the impact of new housing developments in the area, is set to be open to the public between 7.30am and 8pm during spring and summer and 7.30am to 5pm during autumn and winter.

Seven new clean water wildlife ponds were also given the green light in an independent application at Rowley Green Meadow at Stoke Park Farm. The proposed location is a field parcel in the northeast corner of Stoke Park Farm.

The ponds will provide a breeding habitat for great crested newts. The seven ponds range from 9 to 30m in length, with depths between 0.8m and 1.5m.

A new 350m hedgerow will also be planted as part of this second application.

A representative of the Newt Conservation Partnership backed the application, saying it was a great area for a great crested newt habitat and breeding ground and would be brilliant for terrestrial wildlife.