Green light for 20 new homes near Hampshire garden centre

A development of 20 new homes on surplus land at a garden centre near Lymington, Hampshire has been granted approval.

The scheme includes ten affordable homes, new public open space, a children’s play area, 48 parking spaces and landscaping.

New Forest District Council’s planning committee approved a full application for the scheme at Everton Nurseries in Christchurch Road, near Milford on Sea.

It gave permission for the demolition of existing buildings associated with the garden centre and the construction of 16 houses and four flats.

The housing will replace ageing and redundant greenhouses, polytunnels, storage sheds and containers which are no longer required by Everton Nurseries following investment and re-configuration of its site.

Planning permission was granted after representatives from Ken Parke Planning Consultants (KPPC) addressed issues raised in considerable local opposition to the scheme.

KPPC is providing planning advice for applicants EG Dunford Ltd along with Williams Lester Architects.

Ken Parke, managing director of KPPC, said: “This is a very well-designed scheme which will deliver much needed family homes.

“There were a number of matters which were successfully addressed to allow planning permission to be granted.

“Although the site is located within the green belt, it is not open countryside and sits between existing residential areas and the main garden centre complex.

“We are grateful to members of the planning committee for recognising the merits of this application under ‘common sense’ planning policies to allow a high-quality residential development with significant environmental, social and economic benefits.”

EG Dunford Ltd is a third-generation local family owned development company, established for over 90 years building new homes in the local area.

The project team comprised KPPC, WLA, EG Dunford Ltd, Sturt & Company and Ecological Survey and Assessment (ECOSA).