Eastleigh Borough Council Horton Heath Development Management Committee Meeting

The Committee received a written statement from Councillor Gin Tidridge relating to the provision of affordable housing on the One Horton Heath development in light of Local Government Reorganisation.  Councillor Tidridge sought assurance that the Borough Council would still provide 35% affordable housing on the site.

The Chair responded that the Committee had carefully considered the viability assessment and affordable housing could not be secured via the S106 agreement. Alternative funding sources were being sought by way of government grant, in line with council housing policy, but as that now falls outside of the formal planning system it is a Cabinet matter.

Councillor Marsh declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 as she is a resident of Burnetts Lane.

RESOLVED –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2025 be approved as a correct record.

Consideration was given to the report of the Local Area Manager (Agenda Item 5) that provided an update regarding the main road through the One Horton Heath development.

RESOLVED –

That the Committee noted the information provided in the report.

The Infrastructure Manager gave a short presentation on guidelines that had to be taken into account when determining planning applications; in particular the issues that could, and could not, be taken into account.  This was set against the broader policy framework.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Development Management (Agenda Item 7) concerning an Outline Planning Application: Phased mixed-use development comprising severable and separate phases of development (as per the Phasing Plan) consisting:

• Up to 2,500 residential units in total (across The Lower Acre, Quobleigh Breach, The Upper Acre, Round Copse, The Holme, The Homestal, Chalcroft Farm and The Folds phases and partially within Chalcroft Outfarm Works phase);
• A Local Centre (and supporting secondary local centres) on land up to 3.1ha comprising mixed-use residential/retail/leisure/community/employment/day nursery/food establishment uses (Local Centre Phase);
• Further non-residential floorspace on land up to 5ha comprising of office, commercial and industrial uses and general industrial and storage & distribution uses (Chalcroft Outfarm works and Fir Tree Farm Hub phases and partially within the Chalcroft Farm phase);
• A 3FE Primary School (Primary School Phase);
• Public open space including formal sports facilities and informal provisions (across Green Infrastructure Phases);
• Allotments, ecological, landscape and sustainable drainage works;
• key infrastructure and utilities provision including new roads, footpaths, bridleways and cyclepaths;
• Vehicular access from Allington Lane, Fir Tree Lane and Burnetts Lane with improvements to the existing road junction at Fir Tree Lane/Burnetts Lane; and
• Site preparation and demolition works

  All Matters Reserved Except Access. This application is subject to Environmental Impact Assessment.  (Amended description) (Ref: O/20/89498).

The Committee was advised that Natural England had indicated their intention to withdraw their objection to the proposed nutrient mitigation.

The following key points were raised:

·  Supportive of the culverting of Fir Tree Lane

·  Ensure the ditches on the existing One Horton Heath (OHH) development and any surrounding roads were being maintained

·  Reinstate the residents forums to keep updated on the application

·  Concern that Fir Tree Lane could become a rat run for through traffic because of proximity to the new school and the route to the local centre

·  Requested that any new information or changes to the applications were made clearer when published on the website

·  Imperative that residents of areas abutting the site were consulted on boundary treatments ahead of any reserved matters applications

·  Development would provide local services and much needed new housing

RESOLVED -

That Outline Permission be granted subject to the update report and:

i)  the recommended conditions;

ii)   completion of the S106 legal agreement;

iii)   completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment notification processes; and

iv)  Completion of an updated Habitats Regulations Appropriate Assessment in response to Natural England advice

(all delegated to Service Director for Planning and Environment to complete)

[NOTES: (A) A number of local residents spoke in objection to the application citing concerns around increased traffic, drainage, insufficient health provision for increased population, the boundary of the OHH development with Barley Fields, Bramley Gardens, Crispin Close, Farm Road, Angelica Gardens, Fir Tree Lane, Fir Tree Close and Burnetts Lane, lack of engagement by the OHH team with local residents, the widening of Fir Tree Lane and removal of a fourth access option (B) The Senior Development Planning Manager for the scheme spoke in support of the application citing several factors in the delay to the scheme but confirmed that the S106 agreement had no significant issues outstanding, thanked officers for their work on getting the application to Committee, new residents of OHH will be given free parking at Itchen Valley Country Park for a year from their move in date, no unacceptable issues for statutory consultees, further consultation would take place with Barley Fields residents ahead of any reserved matters application and reiterated the benefits of the scheme for the borough.]