Plans for 64 homes close to Swanmore College will worsen 'ludicrous' traffic problem, residents warn

Persimmon Homes is hoping to build 64 homes and flats on land along New Road, to the south of Swanmore.

The developer had previously applied to build 74 homes on the site last year – but it has now submitted amended plans after concerns were raised by residents and Winchester City Council.

Central Meon Valley ward councillor Frank Pearson said the development had addressed concerns about nitrate pollution, but ‘serious concerns’ remained about traffic – and potential accidents.

Earlier in the year, the parish council conducted a survey and found drivers going at 78mph down the 30mph road.

Cllr Pearson added: ‘It does have an accident record – there have been a lot of near misses and a couple of children have been hit over the last four or five years.’

Residents responding to the application earlier in the year voiced similar concerns about the development.

In a public comment responding to the original plans, Swanmore resident Aaron Cooper said: ‘There is already a massive problem on New Road with speeding, parking, congestion, and recent accidents involving pedestrians from the school.

‘Adding further development to this area would highly increase these issues and risks to safety of this community.

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Reed Close resident Charlie Thompson called the speeding problem ‘ludicrous’, saying: ‘Despite the very clear 30mph limit the speed that many cars travel on it is ludicrous.

‘During school term time there is a long line of cars parked outside the secondary school which makes passing difficult, but when it's drop-off (or) pick-up time it's nearly impassable.’

Cllr Pearson has said the argument against a development is ‘dead’ due the land being allocated for housing, but he believes a solution to the traffic issue needs to be found.

He said: ‘I would argue that we need a roundabout to slow down traffic on New Road.’

A traffic assessment prepared for Persimmon Homes claims the proposed development would ‘not have a severe impact’ on traffic on the road.

The plans for the 64 homes are due to go before Winchester City Council in the new year, with a date to be confirmed.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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