2010 Application

View the site plans presented at the public consultation HERE.

In February 2010 an application 52418 was received by EHDC to fast track a new planning application by not providing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). There was much opposition to this from organisations such as Natural England, the South Downs Joint Committee, CPRE, Petersfield Society and Buriton Parish council amongst many others. EHDC decided however that an EIA was required.

Natural England stated that "the development will have significant adverse impacts on the South Downs National Park". In its determining issues EHDC stated "There are far reaching implications for the landscape and the visual amenity of this end of the town", and in its conclusion that "the development is likely to have significant environmental affects (sic) upon the prevailing landscape character".

You can read the full decision report here. It should also be noted that the report states that there is no relevant planning history, ignoring the previous application in 2002. EHDC now acknowledges that this is incorrect and this will be included in future applications. It should also be noted that the site is 27.5 hectares, not the 11.3 quoted in the report.

2002 Application

A Planning Application F.37146/OUT/JH for outline permission of 275 dwellings and associated access from The Causeway & Sussex Road, was made on 18-April-2002. It was refused in June 2002.

This was timed very shortly after the final date for public comment on the second review of the Local Plan and a year or so before the Public Inquiry into that plan - potentially forcing yet another Public Inquiry - at the expense of the Council tax payers of East Hampshire District Council. However it is believed that these costs could be claimed from the appellant given the unreasonable nature of this application, if an appeal is lodged against refusal.

The application shows that the main access to the site would be via the current Hangers Way footpath to the east of The Causeway, opposite Cranford Road. The entire Cranford Road, Hangers Way, and The Causeway junction would be permanently controlled by traffic lights.

The application details the closure of the service road in front of houses on the West side of The Causeway.

The application shows emergency access for fire engines etc. a cycleway and footpath between 25 and 27 Sussex Road, at a location where there is no footpath on Sussex Road, parking opposite and a junction to a residential road on the North side.

Supporting the application is a submission to Hampshire County Council for Junction design approval. This is based on a small amount of data collected in one day in February 2000, before the nearby Tesco opened. It also includes a Road Safety audit conducted on a day in August 2000 again before Tesco opened and during the school holidays. This includes scenarios to support development of over 500 houses.

The application includes 1.5 hectares (3.7 acres) of houses and land not owned by the developers and whose owners do not currently wish to sell. The developers claim this as previously developed land.

The application and the related papers referred to above can be viewed at the East Hampshire District Council planning department at Penns Place Petersfield between 09:00 and 17:00 Monday-Friday.