Parish Council response to Swallowfields Park Development

Response from Milford on Sea Parish Council to Pennyfarthing Homes’ online consultation relating to Strategic Site 7 - known as Swallowfields Park, Manor Road, Milford on Sea.

LOCAL PLAN

The site SS7 in the New Forest District Local Plan 2016- 2036 was adopted for ‘at least 110 new homes and public open space’. The Parish Council considers that the proposed 191 new homes will be an over development of the site resulting in a cramped environment and will put an excessive strain on infrastructure and public services.

DESIGN AND LAYOUT

The Parish Council wish to see detailed designs of the proposed dwellings. It is felt that the housing at the Swifts is lacklustre, unattractive, dated and very ordinary. There is an opportunity for this development to enhance the area rather than following a standard mass development pattern.

We note that the affordable housing is largely situated directly under the comms mast. We wish to have every assurance that this is acceptable and safe.

PRE-CONSTRUCTION

Prior to any works commencing all remedial works to the Public Open Space at the land adjacent to the school must be completed to resolve the problems with the unsatisfactory condition of this land and the consequent liability concerns from its use by the public and the school.

Provision of traffic lights at the Everton junction of B3058 and the A337 must be mandated and works commenced before construction work starts.

The Parish Council trusts that, and will look for, evidence that new-build standards will be shown to be coping with the problems of climate change and energy costs.

We welcome the provision of footpaths, cycle routes and the provision of a pedestrian access to the site from the B3058 opposite the school.

Protection of existing trees is imperative as is the retention of existing hedges. More tree planting will be welcome.

DRAINAGE

Drainage and sewerage problems are of great concern to the village. Mains sewerage from this new development must not connect to existing pipework which is already overloaded causing major issues at Keyhaven with frequent spills onto roads and into Sturt Pond. The Parish awaits proposals from Pennyfarthing on how it intends to deal with this major concern.

CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Access to the site as suggested by Pennyfarthing at the N.E. point of the site to be installed with the essential proviso that construction traffic must avoid school start of day and end of school times.

A condition must be imposed that all construction traffic parks within the site. No parking can be tolerated in Manor Road, Manor Close, Knowland Drive or other neighbouring residential roads.

The Public Open Space provided must be ready for leisure and informal play before the first residents arrive. This land must be prepared to a high standard. Councillors are very aware of the failure of the ground preparation at the neighbouring Swifts development. We wish to be advised of the specification of the Alternative Natural Greenspace.

Pennyfarthing to ensure that no topsoil is removed from the site leaving verges and green areas in poor condition. We note the inferior state of these at the Swifts development.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

We welcome Pennyfarthing’s commitment to provide affordable housing in accordance with government policy that 50 per cent of the dwellings on the site must be within affordable housing guidelines. We regret that the largest proportion of such housing is categorised as being for first time buyers. The cost of such housing, even discounted, will be beyond the means of many people currently registered on the Homesearch Register. We ask for evidence that the provision of the affordable housing on this site will answer the registered needs of the village. We also wish to be reassured that the allocation of affordable housing will follow current regulation in that tenants or lessees will have a strong connection to the village and that, contrary to the statement in Pennyfarthing’s consultation, shared ownership will not contain the right to ‘staircase out’ so that a property will become owned completely by the resident. This provision will ensure that the less expensive housing at the site will not be sold on as second homes but will remain within the affordable housing provision.

We look for reassurance that the provision of affordable housing will not be eroded when plans are submitted.

GENERAL

We note that Pennyfarthing has adopted the name Swallowfield Park as a working title for SS7. Perhaps “Swallowfields” minus the “Park” may fit better with its neighbour, the Swifts.

The Parish Council intends to engage with more village feedback at public meetings.