Where are the homes proposed to go?

The priority for homes is to build them on brownfield sites, however, the New Forest District Council anticipate there will not be enough sustainable locations to build on outside the Green Belt in the New Forest area.   New Forest District Council are investigating the issues and considerations of building of Green Belt.  The Neighbourhood Plan is taking the investigation further for the proposed sites in our area. 

What does Green Belt mean?

Put simply Green Belt is an area of open land around a city or town, on which building is restricted.
The fundamental aims of the Green Belt policy are:
·   To prevent urban sprawl including the merging of large urban   areas by keeping land permanently open.
·   To prevent neighbouring towns from merging into one   another.
·   To assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment
·   To preserve the setting and special character of historic towns

·   To assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.

Green Belt boundaries can be changed through a Local Plan review.   In exceptional circumstances where there is a housing supply   shortfall Green Belt land can be released for development. 

Development areas in the Local Plan Part One 2016 -2036 for Lymington and Pennington

Strategic Site 5: Land at Milford Road, Lymington

i. Land at Milford Road, Lymington as shown on the Policies Map is allocated for residential development of at least 185 homes and public open space, dependent on the form, size and mix of housing provided.

ii. The masterplanning objectives for the site as illustrated in the Concept Master Plan are to:
 a. Plan development including the design of recreational greenspace to define a new rural edge and enhanced boundary to the    Green Belt, and to soften the transition between the development and the open countryside.
 b. Retain tree belts and enhance the water course on the eastern boundary as landscape features softening visual impacts and    providing some green amenity space buffer to existing residential areas.
 c. Integrate the site into the built-up area of Lymington and Pennington connecting to its footpath networks.

iii. Site-specific Considerations to be addressed include:
 a. Design or other appropriate measures to mitigate potential noise and odour impacts from Efford waste and recycling centre and  Pennington Sewage Treatment Works.
 b. Measures to manage watercourse flood risks south of Milford Road along the eastern perimeter and in the south west corner of   the site, as part of an integrated site approach to sustainable urban drainage.

Strategic Site 6: Land to the east of Lower Pennington Lane, Lymington


i. Land to the east of Lower Pennington Lane, Lymington as shown on the Policies Map is allocated for at least 100 homes and public open space, dependent on the form, size and mix of housing provided. 

ii. The masterplanning objectives for the site as illustrated in the Concept Master Plan are to: 

a. Create a well-designed extension to the settlement of Lymington with a character and density that is respectful of the low density and rural edge character of the locality and surrounding properties. 

b. Provide a central greenspace serving as a focal point for the development that also defines a new rural edge and softens the transition to the open countryside of the adjoining New Forest National Park. 

c. Retain and enhance important tree belts, rights of way, hedge rows and incidental open spaces around the site boundaries as landscape features forming an important part of the character of the site and providing some screening for existing residential areas. 

d. Integrate the site into the built-up area of Lymington connecting to its footpath networks to central Lymington, Woodside Park and to the countryside. 

e. Provide points of vehicular access to the site from both Lower Pennington Lane and from Ridgeway Lane, connecting to provide a vehicular route through the site. 


iii. Site-specific Considerations to be addressed include: 

a. The southern site boundary is the edge of the New Forest National Park, and the proposed site access at the south east corner is within the National Park. 

b. Development and access arrangements must respect the tranquillity, privacy and security of the Oakhaven hospice. 

c. Provision of additional visitor car parking for the hospice. d. Maintaining the public right-of-way across the site as a dedicated footpath.