DEVELOPERS Easterton have put forward revised plans for the proposed phase two development of an additional 175 homes at Lowsley Farm which could devastate the village’s historic centre – and finish off the annual Liphook in Bloom competition, it has been claimed.

Concerns have been raised by residents and members of Liphook In Bloom about plans to widen roads in the village’s historic square, which forms part of the revised plans and which was previously rejected by East Hampshire District Council (EHDC).

Russ Ellis, a long-time member of the in-bloom competition, said: “I would like to draw attention to phase two of the Lowsley Farm development of 175 houses application, which has been re-submitted with very slight alterations.

“The main concern I have is that Easterton propose to widen the roads in The Square where the Headley Road and Longmoor Road join the roundabout.

“Looking at it closely, they intend to remove three flower beds and replace them with HGV run offs completely devastating our conservation heritage historic square and ripping the heart out of our lovely village centre.

“Instead they should build a link road between Headley Road and Longmoor Road, which would make much more sense and benefit the community.

“It would also benefit the Lowsely Farm development as residents would then have the choice of Longmoor Road or Headley Road - doing away with the need to go through The Square.

“I am asking residents to look at the application and raise their own concerns over proposed alterations in The Square.

“If this gets permission, it will mean the end of Liphook as we know it and possibly the end of Liphook in Bloom as well.”

Proposals would reduce the pavement outside SK Electrical on London Road and at the top of Longmoor Road, to allow large lorries to turn, while flower beds near Findlay’s Florist and by The Royal Anchor would be lost.

Mr Ellis has also spoken to Damian Hinds MP about the desperate need of a link road, which could be funded by developer’s contributions, to ease the pressure from the centre of Liphook.

One year ago, East Hampshire district councillors voted overwhelmingly against the controversial planning application which was described as “lacking organic vision”, calling it a “commuter estate”.

Key points for refusal were the accumulative effect further traffic would have on the centre of Liphook from 330 dwellings at the farm, on Longmoor Road, in Griggs Green.

Concerns were raised regarding air quality and pollution and safety for the access mini-roundabout on a double bend in Longmoor Road, a well-known accident hotspot, as well as existing sewage and flooding problems.

Whereas the previous application for 155 houses at Lowsley Farm had been approved by EHDC in December 2012, subject to conditions, councillors felt the addition of a further 175 houses was a step too far. 

But they pointed out that because of the division of Bramshott and Liphook by the presence of the South Downs National Park, the only available site for inclusion in EHDC’s draft allocations plan, was at Lowsley.

Easterton state two simultaneous planning applications relating to phase one and two were submitted to EHDC on March 10, 2014.

One related to an outline permission for phases one and two for 330 units and the other for the change of use of land to the east of Loswley Farm to provide a 6.37 hectare sustainable alternative natural green space.

The outline application for residential development was refused by EHDC on February 2, last year for reasons relating to congestion at the roundabouts in the centre of Liphook, poor air quality, development outside the settlement boundary and lack of planning contributions as no section 106 agreement was secured.

Easterton state the revised application seeks to overcome the reasons for refusal for the previous applications.

In addition, an appeal was lodged against EHDC’s decision to refuse the application and a public inquiry was set for June 2016.

Easterton also revealed housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has now purchased the land for phase one and have submitted alternative reserved matters for approval, which are currently awaiting determination by EHDC.

The revised application for 330 homes proposes a mix of 34 one-bed properties 100 two-beds, 122 three-beds, 64 four-beds and 10 five-beds, with up to 40 per cent allocated as affordable housing, which equates to 132 homes.

The proposed access for the entire site is via one mini-roundabout on Longmoor Road, with an emergency and pedestrian access adjacent to 98 Longmoor Road and further pedestrian and cycle links proposed onto Yeomans Lane as well as three places on Lark Rise.

The site has been a major flood risk area for many years, but Easterton claims the drainage of the site and the surrounding area has been the subject of special consideration, and the application’s flood risk assessment and drainage statement, confirms the implementation of sustainable drainage system will prevent any increase in flood risk – according to the developer.

As well as the affordable housing element, Easterton now proposes contributions for a section 106 agreement towards primary education facilities, with Liphook Infant and Junior Schools as beneficiaries, as well as transport improvements, allotments, nature conservation, landscape, heritage and environmental improvements, and contributions to off-site provision of public open space and recreation facilities.