Plans for new homes in Gosport could run into trouble

Residents talk to Cllr Stephen Philpott, right, about the proposals for new homes this week. Picture: David George

Residents and councillors in Gosport are opposing the plans between Gosport and Fareham, at land behind Tukes Avenue, in Bridgemary.Under proposals from Bargate Homes the homes would go between Tukes Avenue and Newgate Lane East. The firm held a public consultation this week.Fareham Borough Council owns the land, but with Hampshire County Council blocking the use of Newgate Lane East as a road in, the developer will need planning approval from Gosport’s council to create a road from Brookers Lane.At the consultation residents told The News of their frustration these houses would rely on Gosport services.Rachael Cheshire, 55, from Tukes Avenue, said: ‘I'm not happy about it at all.‘It's a Fareham development that needs Gosport access, and expects us to give up our school places and GP surgeries while they collect all the council tax.’Derek Howard, 79, from Tukes Avenue, added: 'The Brookers Lane junction isn't suitable for heavy traffic.

‘There have been other plans in the past that have gone nowhere - I wonder how many more they're going to try.'Councillor Stephen Philpott, elected to both Gosport borough and Hampshire, said not only will he campaign to refuse the road application, but he also insisted the county council will be involved.‘In March 2018 Hampshire County Council placed a prohibition of driving order on a strip of land between the western end of Brookers Lane and Newgate Lane East,’ he said.‘For the developers to get access, the county council would have to rescind or amend that order - and I will oppose any move of that kind.

Consultant Marlies Koutstall, from the developer, has admitted that without Gosport Borough Council's support, the scheme would be difficult.

She said: 'We can't use Newgate Lane East, so we need Brookers Lane as an access point.

‘But there are lots of facilities you can walk or cycle to, like the shops, retail park and so on.'It's a relatively small site, so it's not large enough for a new school and we believe it fits the local capacity for services.'Planning applications are due within weeks.