Strategic Site 17: Land at Whitsbury Road, Fordingbridge

Our Local Plan 2016-2036 Part 1: Planning Strategy has allocated this land, known as Strategic Site 17: Land at Whitsbury Road, Fordingbridge for residential-led mixed use development and open space consisting of:

at least 330 homes (in addition to the 145 homes already permitted within the site boundary) dependent on the form, size and mix of housing provided
on-site provision of public open space

The area for the allocation (with any associated current development parcels) can be seen below. The area of the development parcels are lined red.

Current development parcels

So far we are have received planning applications for two parcels of land

Parcel 1

LAND AT TINKERS CROSS, WHITSBURY ROAD, TINKERS CROSS, FORDINGBRIDGE SP6 1NQ
Reference: 20/11469
Status: Granted Subject to Conditions

Proposal:

building of 64 dwellings
change of use of land for Alternative Natural Recreational Greenspace
new accesses onto Whitsbury Road
necessary onsite infrastructure

You can view the planning committee report from the 9 February 2022 below

Read the planning committee report from 9 February 2022

Parcel 2

LAND TO WEST OF, WHITSBURY ROAD, FORDINGBRIDGE
Reference: 21/10052
Status: Resolution to grant permission subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement and the imposition of conditions

Outline planning application all matters reserved except means of access only in relation to a new point of vehicular access into the site

Proposal:

Residential development of 342 dwellings
change of use of land to Alternative Natural Recreational Greenspace
all other necessary on-site infrastructure

This application was heard by our planning committee on 29 September 2022. You can view the officer report below

Read the planning committee report of 29 September 2022

Additionally, planning application 17/10150 is part of the allocated site and was granted permission and has been built out.

Updates

August 2023

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

Planning officers are working with the developer to agree a defects list and an agreed approach to carrying out the works. A site meeting has been arranged to reach an agreement on the details.

Parcel 1 - Tinkers Cross, planning reference 20/11469

Highways works have been carried out on Whitsbury Road. The contractor has been installing the mains gas line to the Tinkers Cross site from a connection adjoining the entrance to Augustus Park (FORD1). Reinstatement works to the highway and verges are currently being undertaken.
At the Southern end of the site the developer has commenced installation of the new drainage system that will go through the top corner of the FORD1 SANG to Whitsbury Road. This work continues currently.
Plots 5, 6, 11-14, 32-37, and 56-61 are at foundation stage.
Plots 19-31, 38, 39 and 42-44 have their slabs in.
Plots 40, 41 and 55 are at ground floor level.
Plots 50, 51, 53 and 54 are at first floor level.
Plots 52 and 62-64 are at roofline.
Plots 45-49 are at the internal and external stages, with Plots 45-48 currently being made watertight.
The roadway adjoining Plots 52-55 has been tarmacked.
The kerbstones for the roadway adjoining Plot 19 through to Plot 36 are being installed and the road is being constructed.
The mains drainage line is being constructed adjoining Plots 55-61.
The mains drainage has been constructed alongside Plots 32-36 and the roadway is now being constructed.
The roadway adjoining Plots 45-49 is being constructed.

June 2023

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

Discussions are ongoing regarding items that will comprise a defects list
The maintenance parking area has been improved

Parcel 1 - Tinkers Cross, planning reference 20/11469

The roads outside the site are clear of mud and debris.
There are no noise or dust problems on site.
Plots 5, 6, 11-14, 26-39, 42-44 and 56-61 are at foundation stage.
Plots 19-25, 40 and 41 have their slabs in.
Plots 50-55 and 62-64 are at ground level.
Plots 45-47, and 49 are at roofline.
Plot 48 is at the internal and external stages.
Plot 48 will be the show home and Plot 49 will be the sales room.
The roadway adjoining Plots 52-55 is being constructed.

May 2023

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

The footpath linking this development to Burgate Acres is being constructed by Metis Homes. The footpath base layer has been laid and the path is open.
The contractor has been on site mowing and strimming. They have an obligation to maintain the site until transfer.
Both affordable housing areas are now being maintained and planting has been replaced.

Parcel 1 - Tinkers Cross, planning reference 20/11469

The main road is being kept clear of mud. A sweeper is regularly coming to the site. The developer also has a jet wash attachment on site and they're using that to keep the site clear of dust. When required, i.e. when the drier weather is more consistent, they will be bringing in a wheel cleaning station.
The majority of the mains drainage line has been constructed on site.
Plots 19-31, 37-39, 40-44 and 58-61 are having their foundations constructed.
Plots 53-55 are having their slabs laid.
Plots 45, 50-52 and 62-64 are at ground level.
Plots 46 and 47 are at first floor level.
Plots 48 and 49 are at roofline.
The roadway adjoining Plots 62-64 has been constructed.

April 2023

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

Most of the required remedial planting has taken place. Some extra trees are still required to be planted in the SANG.
The remaining grass and wildflower seeding will be able to take place soon when the weather warms up.
An area of the SANG that has been returned to its previous use is required to be levelled up, grass seeded and replacement shrubs planted.
The Developer has commenced construction of the maintenance parking area.
Some trees that were considered to be unsafe in the long term by SSE under the power cables in the SANG have been removed and repositioned.
The unauthorised pathway in the Western SANG has been removed. The land is due to be prepared and returned to its previous natural state. Some planting is required.

Parcel 1 - Tinkers Cross, planning reference 20/11469

The site is using an agreed temporary access whilst the highways paperwork is finalised and work is carried out for the permanent access at the Northern end of the site.
Site clearance has taken place across the site.
Construction of the foul and surface drainage and foundations for some plots has commenced.

March 2023

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

The developer has informed us that the tree planting has commenced.
There is an area in the North-Eastern section of the site where drainage installation works have recently been carried out. This is in conjunction with the site at Burgate Acres. The land needs to be made good and grass seeding carried out. The developer has been informed of this and they will be carrying out the works imminently.

January 2023

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

the required remedial planting is due to be completed by the end of January 2023.
liaison is taking place between the Council, the developer and Fordingbridge Town Council regarding the allotments

December 2022

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

The landscaping maintenance contractor has re-seeded the wildflower meadow area on the Eastern side of the bio-retention pond.
The remedial tree planting will be carried out in December

November 2022

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

The annual Autumn tree inspection has taken place and the remedial planting plans have been passed to the Developer to make sure that all failed trees are replaced this coming planting season.
The smaller planting in the 5 landscaping strips adjoining the play area has been carried out. The required trees will be planted in December.
Failed trees across the site will be planted in December.

September 2022

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

The landscape contractor is on site currently, grass seeding and wildflower seeding any outstanding areas, along with topping up areas that have not germinated satisfactorily. Any failed trees and shrubs will be planted this planting season.
The pathway across the Central Park area has been constructed and the soft landscaping/shaping of the area is currently being carried out, which will include the smaller planting and seeding. The trees will be planted this planting season
Liaison regarding the allotments is still ongoing.

August 2022

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

A tree inspection across the whole site has recently been carried out, involving our Tree Officer. Remedial planting plans are with the developer for their attention and remediation. Any trees that have failed are going to be planted during the next planting season from October.
The pathway across the Central Park area is being constructed and the soft landscaping/shaping of the area is being carried out. The planting and seeding will be carried out after this has been completed.
The allotments are progressing.

July 2022

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

The new highway footpath along Whitsbury Road, adjoining the entrance to the site is now complete and the road works have been removed.
Some landscaping features are still due to be installed in the Central Park area
The Developer is continuing works on the allotments to get them ready for transfer.
A tree inspection will be carried out to identify any failed trees that require replacement, or any that require monitoring.

June 2022

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

The hard landscaping adjoining the school drop off parking area has been completed.
Further planting is required to the Eastern sides/edges of the bio-retention pond and meadow seed is due to be sown in the area around the top of the Eastern side of the pond.
The required remediation works have been carried out to the headwalls in the swale running through the Eastern SANG.

May 2022

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

The new highway footpath along Whitsbury Road, adjoining the entrance to the site, has commenced construction. This is being overseen by Hampshire County Council, using their contractor. Traffic controls will be in place whilst this work is being under taken.

The spoil heap in the agricultural land adjoining the Northern end of the site has been reduced in height by reprofiling, and by spreading out the soil in the area available.

Most of the planting has now been carried out, although there are some trees that are due to be planted at the Northern end of the site.

The school parking places are now completed at the edge of the Eastern SANG and the required grass areas have been seeded.

April 2022

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

The developer has left site, but the sub-contractor doing the remaining civil engineering works (RW Langley) and the landscaping contractor (Land Products) are both still present.

The height of the spoil is going to be reduced as much as possible by spreading it out in the available space in that section, off site. It will then be grass seeded.

A plan to remediate the bio-retention pond will be submitted to NFDC by the landscape contractor.

The highways contractor has carried out and completed the top layer road surfacing across the site.

Remedial works have commenced, but are still ongoing in the swale in the Eastern SANG.

March 2022

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

The highways contractor is still carrying out the works to raise the road gullies ready for the final road surfacing to be laid.

The temporary car parking area at the Northern end, adjoining the site, has been cleared of equipment and materials. The temporary grasscrete parking surface has also been removed.

The spoil removal from the Northern end, adjoining the site, is still ongoing.

Some of the remedial planting has been undertaken with the aim to complete by the end of March.

February 2022

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

The playground is open. The play surfacing work has been completed. The hard stand edging at the play area gate entrance will be completed at the same time as the adjoining new footpath construction.

In Phase 4 three plots remain occupied pending completion of the external and landscaping works.

Road gullies are being raised ready for the final road surfacing to be laid.

The spoil removal from the Northern end, adjoining the site, is still ongoing.

January 2022

Augustus Park (Land East of Whitsbury Road), planning reference 17/10150

In Phase 1 the two sales houses have sold, but will not be occupied until the end of January 2022. All the remaining houses are occupied.

In Phase 2 all houses are occupied.

In Phase 3 all houses are occupied.

In Phase 4 four houses have exchanged and the rest are occupied. Those not occupied are pending construction/completion.

The fence and entrance gates for the allotments have been constructed.

The hedgerows have now been planted. Remedial tree planting will be carried out after before the end of March 2022.

You can view or comment on the applications on our planning pages using the references above

View or comment on a planning application