Campdown: More than 110 objections lodged against plan for 780 homes in Waterlooville

Persimmon’s proposals for properties at Campdown, off College Road, have faced a barrage of 116 objections since going out to consultation.

High-profile grumbles have already come from Natural England, Portsmouth Water, RSPB, the Environment Agency and The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, who cited a ‘significant’ risk to Havant's groundwater and potentially irreparable habitat loss.

The plans risk uprooting 430 wintering Brent geese and curlew which use the 31-hectare site, proposing they instead use a 1.3-hectare site at Broadmarsh Coastal Park.

Experts say curlew have never been known to use the space.

Bob Comlay, chairman of the Havant Civic Society, made an objection on Saturday.

Writing on the society’s behalf, he said Campdown ‘should never have been included’ in Havant’s Local Plan.

He added: ‘A buried Roman villa in the northern part of the site is already designated as a scheduled monument, while to the south, a Neolithic long barrow and a medieval cemetery are known to exist.’

Developer Persimmon today dismissed rumours it was to withdraw the plan because of opposition.

A spokeswoman said: ‘We are continuing with our housing application for Campdown and working hard to address comments raised by consultees as part of that application.

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‘We are also working closely with Havant Borough Council to resolve concerns and deliver much-needed housing.

‘The site is one of the largest strategic site allocations in the Local Plan, and will bring homes, community facilities, infrastructure improvements and significant economic investment to the area.’

Public comments for the application, reference APP/19/01101, can be made on Havant Borough Council's planning website until Sunday.