Fears of gridlock after plan for 5,000 homes across Havant is revealed

That’s the verdict of one critic who believes the plan could exacerbate existing congestion, including getting on and off Hayling Island.

As revealed in The News yesterday, Havant Borough Council has unveiled its housebuilding plan for the next 20 years, which would see an extra 5,000 homes built – on top of the 6,300 already earmarked in the current local plan.

Among the plans could be another 555 homes on Hayling.

Rook Farm, off St Mary’s Road, has been earmarked for 394 homes, with 161 homes for Station Road.

This is on top of existing allocations, including the 130 homes being built at Mengham Fields and 125 earmarked for the seafront.

John Broomhead, of Goldring Close, Hayling, said: ‘The infrastructure is just not here.

‘The biggest issue is there is only one road going on and off the island.

‘It’s is already several thousand vehicles over the classification for the road.

‘The highways authority seem to be just burying their heads in the sand and saying a few more houses won’t make a difference.

‘It’s just ridiculous what they are doing.’

Iona Jones, who also lives on the island, said: ‘We have a massive housing shortage in this area.

‘I am for new houses being built. But on an island where there’s only one road on and off, I think this could cause problems.’

The masterplan includes a minimum of 400 homes on land at Camp Down, near Crookhorn, 300 homes on Forty Acres field off Havant Road, and some of the land north of Fort Purbrook at Portsmouth Golf Course.

A total of 1,650 homes are planned on farmland between Havant and Emsworth.

A public consultation is due to be launched on July 25 and will run until September 9.

Cllr David Guest, who heads planning in Havant borough, said: ‘We’re really determined to make sure that this plan has local interests at its heart and we will be talking to residents about the proposed new homes and where they are planned to go.’