Parish council backs battle against Halterworth scheme

About 400 protesters are objecting to Glowfern’s plans to build on a green field site at Halterworth between Romsey and North Baddesley.

They fear it is just the beginning of a larger scheme that could eventually see up to 1,500 dwellings built in an area stretching from Crampmoor in the north to Whitenap in the south.

Test Valley Council planners have confirmed landowners have come forward with potential sites in the Halterworth area that could accommodate the 1,500 new homes. But borough councillors will have to approve the sites first.

Residents have expressed their concerns about potential increases in traffic and the loss of the green gap if the development gets the green light. And they were also worried about the impact the proposed development could have on the area.

Now Romsey Extra Parish Council has thrown its weight behind the resident campaign and objected to the proposal.

Chairman Alison Johnston said: “We see this as a precursor for further large- scale development threatening the strategic green gap between Halterworth and North Baddesley.”

She added: “ People feel very strongly about the plans. We are also supporting a request for all mature trees around the site to have tree preservation orders placed on them ”

The independent Stroud School is also against the plans. The school, which is nearby, employs 80 staff and its headmaster Alistair Dodds has warned the development could have a serious impact on Romsey if it goes ahead.

Mr Dodds said: “Parents select Stroud School for its rural location and the development could have an adverse effect on future recruitment and, therefore, the business of the school.”

Paul Airey, senior consultant at Luken Beck, agents for developer Glowfern said: “A full environmental impact assessment has been undertaken on the application and this has concluded that there will be no likely significant effects on the ecology, landscape or community from the proposed development.”