Anger at plans to build new estate on West Sussex farmland
Emsworth residents have questioned the legality of plans to build 280 homes on farmland.
More than 100 people packed into St James Church, to voice their concerns at plans by Linden Homes to transform Hampshire Farm, between Emsworth and Westbourne.
Campaigners say Havant Borough Council is in danger of 'accelerating' housebuilding on greenfield sites, rather than using brownfield sites first.
Emsworth Residents' Association claims there are still 494 homes yet to be built on a number of more sustainable sites in the borough.
Chris Curry, from the residents' association, said: 'Our concern is they are accelerating a greenfield site above other sites.
'Both the government's and council's objective is to build on brownfield sites'
Among other concerns are the impact on traffic and the effect on the bat populations living at the site.
But Linden Homes has compared the development to a 'low-key garden village' with allotments and a nature conservation area.
The development would also become a base for Emsworth Surgery with a new modern facility.
Michael O'Brien, director of planning and design at Linden Homes, said there was no questions to answer over the legality of the proposals.
He said: 'It must be remembered that the site is allocated as a reserve housing site following a rigorous assessment of evidence presented to an independent inquiry.
'As part of this process we produced our policy synopsis and presented it to counsel who advised that the principle of the allocation of Hampshire Farm coming forward now was correct.
'We then presented this to the policy officers at Havant Borough Council who after carefully considering the matter and seeking their own counsel's opinion, concluded that it was appropriate for the site to come forward now.'
Mr O'Brien said he was 'very keen' to work alongside Emsworth Residents' Association.
He added: 'I would, however, like to stress that there is no question of the legality of the site coming forward now and the views of numerous experts consulted is that the proposed development is acceptable in principle.'
Councillors will vote on the proposals next month.
>> Vote in our latest web poll.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
