Havant site acquired by housebuilder submitting council application to build 70 new homes

The 6.5 acre site along Bartons Road in Southleigh was purchased with an outline consent in place.

Housebuilder Redrow will now be submitting a reserved matters application to Havant Borough Council for 70 new homes for private sale.

These will range in size from two to four bedroom homes, and 21 properties will be available at affordable tenure, either through shared ownership or affordable rent.

Craige Burden, head of planning at Redrow Southern Counties, said: ‘This parcel of land offers a fantastic opportunity to deliver high-quality new homes in a stunning, sustainable location whilst having great access to the wider countryside and south coast.

‘We look forward to continuing our engagement with Havant Borough Council as we take this development forward over the coming months.’

Pat Brooks is a member of Havant Climate Alliance and Havant Friends of the Earth.

She said: ‘There is a tremendous pressure on Havant council to be building over most of our green spaces – the government is telling Havant council to be building 500 new homes every year.

‘I think there’s some concern that if these new houses are not properly planed, there won’t be the necessary spaces for biodiversity.

‘Housebuilders have to take this into consideration but we haven’t got any great faith that this will happen in the Southleigh area.

‘We’re very concerned about the degree of housebuilding, and this seems like a very inefficient way of addressing housing needs on a national level.

‘It would be just bringing more people into the borough without addressing the needs of the people already here.

‘It creates a whole lot of issues, and we need to look at the cumulative impact of this building.’

Redrow promises that more than 50 per cent of the development will be designated green space, including a community orchard and wildflower meadow.

Councillor Jackie Branson, who represents St Faith’s ward, said: ‘Anything that goes to planning will be considered.

‘It will be looked at by officers and the planning committee when the plan comes.

‘Havant needs homes.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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