PLANS for a temporary track in Romsey have come under fire from residents over fears agricultural vehicles could use it to pass through the development.

An application was submitted to Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) by Barratt David Wilson Homes Southampton to create the track, starting from Scoreys Crescent and ending at Ganger Farm.

This comes after angry residents slammed plans to axe the oak tree at the end of Scoreys Crescent, claiming a road leading to Ganger Farm would be built in its place, despite there being two access points to the farmland from Ganger Farm Lane and Jermyns Lane.

Development director for Barratt Homes, Julian Jones, hit back at the claims stressing they were already given planning permission to “remove two trees on the boundary of Ganger Farm”, to build a track into the owners’ land.

However, the plans to cut the tree down on Monday, June 15 were scrapped. 

READ: Angry Romsey residents object to plans to chop down oak tree >>> 

Now, residents have heavily criticised the plans for the temporary track, believing children who play on the Kings Chase development could be put at risk with the extra vehicles.

Paul Withers, who lives in Scoreys Crescent, said: "We have been told the access is required for larger agricultural equipment and deliveries, via lorries.

"During lockdown and the summer, children are seen routinely riding their bikes around the development, especially Scoreys Crescent because it has very limited vehicle movements.

"The thought of larger vehicles navigating through the estate raises significant safety concerns."

He stressed there are already two routes to Ganger Farm, along "Ganger Farm Lane" and the other "via the direct link between Jermyns Lane and Ganger Farm", adding they are "safer than the proposed route through the estate".

READ: Romsey residents react to tree plans being axed >>> 

John Mills, who lives in Scoreys Crescent, said: "Kings Chase is a new development, which includes three play areas and children are often seen running and cycling on the roads.

"To allow this access to the farm will encourage large unwanted vehicles to use the small residential roads, some of which are maintained by residents."

He added: "Scoreys Crescent, as the name suggests, is a crescent-shaped road and has not been built to accommodate a through road by agricultural vehicles which are inappropriate for a residential area."

Barratt David Wilson Homes Southampton declined to comment.