Plans for hundreds of new homes and top of the range sports complex in the Test Valley countryside have been given the go ahead.

The scheme will involve up to 300 houses and new sports facilities for Romsey rugby and hockey club.

The application for the Ganger Farm site, at Woodley to the north East of Romsey, comes from Barratt and David Wilson Homes.

Councillors at a packed out Test Valley Borough Council Southern Area Planning Committee at Crosfield Hall, all voted favour of the plans to build 275 homes.

The scheme will bring a 'new community sports hub', with eight sports pitches, including two with all-weather surfaces.

There would also be a pavilion with state-of-the-art changing facilities for the community.

The pavilion would include 134 parking spaces and there would also be public open space as well as three new play areas.

Andover Advertiser:

 

The developers previously altered their original plans which saw them relocate artificial pitches from the northern part of the site to a less prominent location in the south after concerns were raised regarding the impact on the setting of the neighbouring Sir Harrold Hillier Gardens.

The proposal would see 80 per cent of the homes – which are mainly three and four-bedroom properties – going on the open market, while 20 per cent would be affordable housing.

At the meeting outlining the case for Ganger Farm was applicant Stuart Goodwill, who made a case with councillors to accept the plan on the basis that it will deliver vital sporting facilities.

Mr Goodwill, said: “We consider that the 275 houses required to deliver these facilities would help to balance future residential development around Romsey and help relieve pressure on the council from a number of other ill-conceived planning applications which provide little or no community benefit.”

“As a Romsey resident I genuinely believe that this scheme will deliver much more than housing.”

“This community led approach to planning will allow us to deliver these much needed facilities that Test Valley have been aspiring to for the last 20 years.

“We owe the younger generations of the town these facilities, together with the older ones like myself who carry on playing regardless.

One resident spoke of her concerns about the impact the scheme could have by turning footpaths into cycle paths.

But Representatives from Romsey Rugby Club and Romsey Hockey Club explained that the plan for sports facilities in Romsey is too good to refuse and is a golden opportunity.

Councillors also spoke enthusiastically about the plans.

Romsey Extra councillor Ian Hibberd, said: “I have no objection to this, this an opportunity of a generation for sporting facilities at no extra cost to the council, it is an excellent scheme and I fully support it.”

While Chilworth, Nursling and Rownhams councillor Nigel Anderdon praised the plans.

Cllr Anderdon, said: “I think the design to the layout compared to Abbotswood is absolutely brilliant the cars can park near the front of the houses and the developer has donated land in which sports facilities can be used rather than stick them somewhere else.”

Planning officers have recommended that the plan is delegated to the head of planning and building to resolve ‘inconsistencies’ between drawings and to secure legal agreements for being completed to secure financial contributions.