FAQs

The Site

The site and planning

  • The site is located to the east of Fair Oak village, south of Mortimers Lane (B3037), neighbouring Mortimers Farm south and east of the Pembers Hill Drive (Drew Smith) development.

  • There is existing and consented residential development to the north, east and west, with further built development to the south, and the East Horton Golf Club to the south and east. The location of the proposed development offers a logical extension to Fair Oak.

  • The site measures 11.06 hectares and comprises two pasture fields.

  • Alongside meeting local housing needs, the scheme could create new community facilities that would benefit new and existing residents. This could include a community hub, retail opportunities, EV charging spaces and other community services, as well as providing a wide range of open spaces including village greens, community gardens, growing spaces and play areas.

  • The site is currently being promoted for residential development as part of Eastleigh Borough Council’s emerging Local Plan and an Outline planning application will come forward in due course to establish the broad principles for the development. Subsequent ‘Reserved Matters’ planning applications would then be submitted to agree specific details subject to Outline planning approval.

Highways and access

  • The proposed access for the site is proposed from Mortimers Lane. Access will be positioned to enable retention of mature oak trees on the site frontage, where possible, whilst ensuring that a footway can also connect to the existing footway provision further west on Mortimers Lane.

  • As the proposals are at an outline stage, the final details are not yet confirmed. Detailed layout matters, to include parking will be resolved at the Reserved Matters planning stage. The scheme will be designed to meet Council standards including width of roads and number of parking spaces.

  • Clearance of brambles, scrub and low value tree groups will be required to deliver the footpath connection and to allow for the required visibility splays at the proposed junction. As the 30mph speed limit is currently positioned directly across the proposed site access, the location of the 30mph speed limit will be moved further to the east of the site. The applicant is in discussions with Hampshire County Council Highways to agree the site access strategy.

  • Safe walking and cycling routes would be prioritised over vehicles to encourage sustainable movement. The B3037 also has a good bus service along this route and off site improvements are being reviewed to enhance the credentials of the proposed development.

Housing

  • A range of homes is envisaged, to include a mix of sizes and types ranging from smaller to larger family dwellings. The proposals would include affordable, accessible, and adaptable housing. The mix of affordable and market homes is not fixed but would be informed by local needs at the detailed planning application stage.

  • Yes. The proposals would include a policy compliant proportion of affordable homes. The specific form of affordable housing would be agreed following discussions with Eastleigh Borough Council’s Housing Team.

Community benefits

  • The proposals could include a multifunctional community hub. The uses of this facility will be shaped through consultation to help meet identified local needs. The development would also be required to make financial contributions towards local public services, which will be agreed in consultation with Eastleigh Borough Council. These contributions take the form of Community Infrastructure Levy & Section 106 Agreements, and commonly include contributions towards health services, education and highways.

Ecology and biodiversity

  • The site has low ecological value as it is currently largely made up of grassland in a relatively poor condition. There are no designated sites of nature conservation interest located within the site. From the survey work undertaken to date, there is no evidence to indicate any ecological constraints that would prevent or restrict development.

  • We will deliver a biodiversity net gain of 10%, at a minimum. There are opportunities to protect species and deliver complementary planting to improve the overall value of the adjacent Local Wildlife site through the site’s development. New habitats would be created including wildflower grasslands, scrub and open space. New wetland features will also be introduced, with ecologically beneficial sustainable drainage features also contributing to biodiversity enhancement through the site.

  • Whilst none of the surveyed trees on site are protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), the scheme will be designed to protect and enhance the existing mature trees bordering the site by setting development well back from tree root protection zones and including new tree planting to create and connect woodland habitats.

Heritage

  • A Heritage Baseline Assessment has been completed which includes an assessment of Mortimers Farm and East Horton Farm. This assessment will inform the design proposals to ensure the development is appropriate and sensitive to the site’s heritage context. Existing trees and proposed development distances mean the development is unlikely to have an impact on any listed buildings. Mortimer’s Farm has also recently secured planning permission for alterations, extensions, and conversion of 4 existing barns (including Grade 2 listed Threshing Barn and Granary) to create 4 houses, as well as the construction of 5 new homes with associated parking.

Flooding

  • Initial technical assessments have demonstrated that the site has no flooding, drainage, utilities or ground condition constraints that prevent development. The proposals would develop a sustainable drainage strategy that mimics the greenfield runoff patterns using existing surface water drainage corridors and ditches to manage stormwater.

Sustainability

  • The development will strive to include a range of measures which support sustainable development, providing economic, social and environmental benefits in line with national and local planning requirements. We will aspire to meet the Future Homes Standards as these regulations are rolled out, focusing on carbon reduction and low carbon renewable energy provision.

Construction and future development

  • It is difficult to provide clear timescales whilst we are in the planning process. Subject to planning permission, we estimate construction will last between 4-5 years.

  • A Construction Management Plan would be agreed with Eastleigh Borough Council prior to construction beginning, which would address many potential issues from the outset and seek to minimise disturbance to the existing community.

  • There is an opportunity for a future street connection (as well as pedestrian and cycle link) to the east, should a wider strategic development be promoted in the future.