Plan for 920 homes on farmland opposed by residents

Residents have objected to plans for up to 920 homes on farmland near a market town.

Ashfield Partnership originally applied in 2022 to build up to 1,100 homes on land south of Romsey, Hampshire.

The consortium, led by Lord Mountbatten's grandson Timothy Knatchbull, has scaled down the proposal due to an increased risk of flooding.

However, some residents have said the extra homes could be added at a later date.

Timothy Knatchbull survived the IRA bomb in 1979 that killed his twin brother and his grandfather, Lord Mountbatten, who was the last Viceroy of India and the uncle of Prince Philip.

The 61-year-old is a member of the family that owns Romsey's Broadlands Estate.

He has "bravely pioneered... a legacy approach" to development in the town, according to the original planning documents.

The outline application would add more than 2,500 bedrooms to a town with a population of about 20,000.

It includes houses, flats, a new primary school, businesses and a community hall, on land earmarked for development by Test Valley Borough Council.

Two new roundabouts would give access from the A27 Luzborough Lane.

The new scheme removes homes from an area where the Environment Agency revised its flood risk advice.

However, several residents said the area was still "reserved for housing subject to future mitigation", according to the application.

In similar letters published on the council website, they said there was also uncertainty over open space and pedestrian and cycle routes into Romsey.

They called for the proposals to be withdrawn and made clearer before resubmission.

The council is inviting comments until 2 January.

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