A decision on 29 new homes in Fareham has been delayed over fears for children’s safety.

Fareham Borough Council’s planning committee deferred making a decision on the outline application.

Members were worried that the new design for the pedestrian access may mean cars having to pass parked vehicles on a narrow road with children walking on the wrong side.

The committee voted unanimously to defer the application from Foreman Homes Ltd, so that there could be further discussion with Hampshire County Council and the developer over the pedestrian plans.

North Wallington has no footway between the site and Riverside Avenue.

This section of road operates as a shared surface/quiet lane, where pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles share the road space, according to the pedestrian improvement summary.

The developers were trying to get permission again after a previous application was dismissed at appeal by the Planning Inspectorate because of the pedestrian access issues.

This second planning application was brought in front of the committee because it raised over 110 representations with 38 different types of concerns over issues from access to the site, pedestrian and cyclist safety to loss of green space. 

This planning application presents a revised pedestrian scheme which said it will reduce speed of traffic with two “buildout” areas incorporated into a segregated ‘bypass’ for pedestrians.

There will be more lighting so pedestrians can be seen with the addition of double yellow lines to the southern side of the road with a route for pedestrians and cyclists. 

Councillor Ian Bastable (Con, Park Gate) said double yellows on one side of the road would pose a “huge conflict”.

The highways authority at Hampshire County Council did not object to this proposal.

Councillor Kay Mandrey (Con, Hill Head) said: “I have got no faith in Hampshire at all. There have been so many occasions when they’ve said yes, it will be alright.

"And it hasn’t been and we’ve been to appeal and won it. And we’ve just won another today with two houses in Crofton Lane where the road is too narrow to park.”

Councillor Steve Dugan (Con, Hill Head) suggested going back to Hampshire Highways and asking for double yellow lines on both sides or an alternative plan.

The council officer said traffic was light on this road and not anticipated to be a problem. 

The officer’s report, recommending the plan for approval pending a section 106 funding agreement, part of which would improve roads, said: ”The proposed development of 29 dwellings is expected to generate a total of nine additional primary-age children and six secondary age children.” 

Councillor Joanne Burton (Con, Sarisbury and Whiteley) said: “The pedestrian improvement scheme is nothing more than a paper exercise to get it over the line and I do not see any improvement.” Councillor Kirsten Wiltshire (Lib Dem, Fareham Town) agreed and Cllr Dugan added the scheme was “awkward”. 

The details of the homes will be part of a reserved matters application.

The development proposes mostly two-storey with some 2.5-storey homes.