Nursling residents have lost their long-running battle to stop 350 homes being built on a greenfield site in the village. A government-appointed planning inspector has sparked outrage after he overruled Test Valley Borough Council’s decision to refuse Barker-Mill Estates to build the controversial homes off Redbridge Lane.

Nursling and Rownhams Parish Council chief Phil Bundy said villagers had been stunned by inspector Brian Sims decision. Mr Bundy said: “This is a tremendous blow to Nursling and Rownhams. It will increase the population of Nursling by 50 per cent and the whole parish by 17 per cent. This number of houses and the way in which they will be crammed in on this site it has the potential to cause huge problems for the road network and integration of the large number of residents within the village.

“The effect of this is also worsened by Southampton City Council’s proposal to build a 900 place academy immediately opposite the Redbridge Lane site. The ensuring traffic problems caused by parents bringing and collecting children from school, plus traffic movements from the Redbridge Lane development will bring mayhem on the roads at peak times.”

A livid villager, Linda Carmody, said: “This is disastrous news for the village. This development is going to cause utter chaos and misery for everyone. Redbridge Lane will be come a rat run. Nursling will be completely swallowed up by Southampton.”

However, Barker-Mill trustee Tim Jobling said the planned development would consist of “quality homes”. He said: “We are pleased to have been successful in our appeal for the proposed development. We will now focus on working closely with local councillors and residents to create a scheme which everyone can be proud of. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who provided us with feedback and comments regarding the proposals for Redbridge Lane throughout the appeal process. If anyone has any questions as a result of the decision, I would like to encourage them to contact our information line on 0800 612 0727.”

For the full story see Friday’s Romsey Advertiser.