Retirement village plans sitting on Eastleigh and Test Valley border could be approved

A planning application was submitted to Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) to build a 40-bed care home, 42 care suites and 91 close care apartments at land in Park Farm, North Stoneham Park, Eastleigh.

The plans, submitted by Cinnamon Retirement Living and Highwood Homes, will go before TVBC's Southern Area Planning Committee on Tuesday, June 23.

If approved, 142 car parking spaces would be created across the site, including a restaurant and kitchen, gym, swimming pool, as well as a sauna and jacuzzi.

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This comes after the plans received "a resolution to grant permission at the Eastleigh Local Area Committee" on June 9, due to the site sitting on the border of Eastleigh and Test Valley, according to a spokesperson from Eastleigh Borough Council.

Planning and Romsey Future portfolio holder, cllr Nick Adams-King, said: "I think it's good the plans are coming to the Southern Area Planning Committee so it can be properly scrutinised.

"It is part of a much bigger development, as the rest of it is in Eastleigh, but even so it is important we consider any development that increases the urban area into the gap between Test Valley's villages and the cities that surround it.

"I imagine it has been called to the committee because of the size of the development."

Cllr Nick Adams-King

However, the chairman of the Eastleigh and District Angling Club, Dave Banks, objected to the plans over safety concerns on the boundary between the development and Stoneham Lakes.

Mr Banks said: "One of our key concerns is the safety and security of the boundary between Stoneham Lakes and the proposed development.

"The lakes have deep water and steep muddy banks that would be a danger to vulnerable people who gain access to our property.

"The boundary fencing suggested by the developer would be inadequate to prevent this trespass."

As previously reported in the Romsey Advertiser, Chilworth Parish Council objected to the plans due to the "environmental impact" the development could have on the lakes.

A document from the parish council submitted to TVBC's website reads: "The lakes are an important source of recreation for many, including a large, local and active fishing community who purchased the local land around the lake many years ago to preserve it for their sport.

"The effect of such proposed development, with lighting and noise so close to a tranquil lake, will have an adverse effect for the many who fish the lakes daily and over 24-hour periods."

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Planning manager for Highwood, Jon Bray, said: "The continuing care retirement community represents the final part of the Park community, which caters for the young through to the old.

"In terms of environmental benefit, the proposals will transform Park Farm, which prior to Highwood’s purchase was subject to unregulated and unneighbourly activities.

"It will bring new life to the neglected former Coach House, improve the setting of the listed wall, provide a new woodland walk and arboretum and deliver a landmark building for Avenue Park."

He added: "The project will represent a fantastic investment into the area, notably in terms of increased local spend and job creation – we anticipate the scheme will create some 140 jobs for the local community."