Campaign group sets sights on plans for 16 luxury homes in Gosport
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The Safeguard Stokes Bay group was set up in response to 16 homes planned for QinetiQ’s disused site in Fort Road by Gosport-based developer Gunboat No 1 Ltd.
The News revealed the plans at the 9.18 hectare site were for a ‘gated community’ complete with rewilding of some of the former diving test centre.
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Hide AdAround 11 existing buildings would be redeveloped and there would be several new-builds. No plans have been formally published yet.
In a statement Richard Farrington, a spokesman for the campaign group, said: ‘We welcome the opportunity to engage with this important initiative at the former QinetiQ research facility in Alverstoke.
‘We want to see the long-term neglect of this site being reversed in a sensitive way that benefits the Gosport community and the environment in perpetuity.’
He added: ‘The people of Gosport will be here long after the property developers have moved on.
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Hide Ad‘We have a duty to ensure that what is proposed, agreed and eventually approved is what actually happens.
‘Sadly, promises and commitments can be overturned at the stroke of a pen unless careful scrutiny is maintained.'
The group says it wants to ensure the plans are made clear, that all factors are considered in the scheme, and that the community understands what is proposed.
Posting on social media nearby resident Jeremy Webb said: ‘We don't want houses there.
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Hide Ad‘Take the buildings down or let wildlife take over. It could make a real difference to the flora and fauna of the area.
‘Open the site up for public to walk around.’
The plans do not include any affordable housing and are intended for ‘captains of industry’.
Proposals for the site from the developer said: ‘With the extensive gift to the Alverstoke community that this development brings, we trust no further detailed viability assessment for social housing will be required – but naturally, we would be delighted to expand upon this if needed.’
The site has the 1860s-built No.5 Battery - Stokes Bay Lines, a scheduled ancient monument.