A DEVELOPER has confirmed that more than 40 allotments will be made available in King’s Somborne after planning permission was given for 18 new homes earlier this year.

In October, planners at Test Valley Borough Council approved a scheme for 18 homes on a 2.5-hectare site located on Furzedown Road – which is currently used for allotments.

Residents had been fighting the plans after it was discovered that the Diocese of Winchester planned to sell the 100-year-old allotments.

A petition was started which stated that the allotments were “used by the community as a very important asset and ‘community touch point’”. They were also listed as an community asset.

READ MORE: King's Somborne allotments on the market – despite it being a community asset

As previously reported, the diocese said that given its need to resource the work of its parishes, and the local authority’s need to provide much-needed housing, it believed that the proposed sale of the allotments will help to contribute to the council’s target for new homes.

Now, national property consultancy Carter Jonas has celebrated securing planning permission for the new homes and allotments on behalf of Shorewood Homes.

Seven of the 18 homes to be developed will be affordable, and the scheme will incorporate both private and shared amenities, including large rear gardens, landscaped communal areas and off-street parking.

The development will also include 49 new replacement allotments for use by the local community. These allotments will be of better quality than those currently in place and accessible to more of the community, with car parking, a water supply, shared storage, a toilet, raised beds and all-weather paths. 

SEE ALSO: Proposals to build massive housing development near Basingstoke criticised

Nicky Brock of Carter Jones Oxford said: “We were very pleased to have been able to address specific concerns previously expressed by the Planning Inspector to gain planning consent for this site. As well as delivering much-needed homes in a wonderful setting, the consented scheme meets the need to provide an equivalent or better reprovision of allotments. The scheme will deliver more attractive, well thought out allotment spaces, ultimately enabling more people to use and enjoy them.” 

Richard Wickins of Shorewood Homes added: “We are delighted to receive planning permission at a local level and excited by the prospect of building in such a beautiful and well-regarded village.  We will continue to work with the allotment association to deliver the new allotments that will become an important facility for King’s Somborne, alongside 18 exceptional new homes. We are hoping to start work on the allotment relocation early in 2023 with the housing element starting in 2024.”