More than 40 objections have been submitted for the latest update for a major new development, which includes more than 1,000 homes at Whitenap.

Developer, the Ashfield Partnership, recently made some amendments to the scheme for 1,100 homes with open space, roads, parking, service infrastructure, local food production and landscaping.

The developer comprises the Ashfield Estate as landowner and three developers: C G Fry and Son Ltd, Morrish Homes, and Wyatt Homes.

The proposal has been scrutinised by Romsey people and groups since the outline application was submitted last year.

On Wednesday June 28, 44 objections had been submitted for the amendments, with no supporters.

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Bryn Bridges, of Tadburn Road, said: “It goes against Ashfield Partnership's original vision statement to enable residents to 'live their lives sustainably by meeting their daily needs on foot.'

“Without a bridge over the railway line, residents are more than likely not to go anywhere on foot - they will get in their cars and drive off to other places such as Southampton. In my opinion, the new development would become a 'ghetto' and certainly not anything like the countryside living location as Ashfield Partnership put forward at the beginning.”

Richard Buss, a member of the Romsave group and resident of The Tyleshades, said: “It is clear the Whitenap application is not policy compliant due to the lack of a bridge, lack of on-site sports facilities, lack of the northern country park, ped/cycle access used for emergency/bus access, plus the applicant is complaining it can not provide all that is required by the local plan because of constraints.

Hampshire Chronicle: Whitenap masterplan

“Given the amount of windfall development in Southern Test Valley since the adoption of the local plan, plus one or two other good sized developments that are currently at the application stage, I really don’t see the need for the Whitenap development at all. Romsey’s infrastructure is at breaking point now, let alone another 1,100 homes added to the mix. I understand TVBC have a healthy five-year land supply therefore I strongly recommend this application be refused.”

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Brian Gellard, of Tadburn Road, said: “Whitenap development might as well be in Timbuktu for all the good it will do to Romsey town.

“All Romsey commerce will lose trade to the big boys, and all because the bridge wasn’t built at the same time as the development.

“The pedestrian access via St Barbe / Tadburn Road, should NOT be quietly upgraded into a vehicle access. Tadburn Road is narrow, and only copes with the bus service through it as residents are sensible and only park on one side of the road. 

“If the developers are allowed to build the bridge 'at some time in the distant future' the Whitenap residents will get used to driving to the superstores, and never be enticed back to walking / cycling into Romsey.”

A spokesman for the Ashfield Partnership previously said: “The bus gate was a request from Hampshire County Council but it was not part of our application and that remains the case.

“The location for the primary school is the one preferred by Hampshire and Test Valley Borough Councils. We remain open minded so the location could change at reserved matters stage.”

To view the details of the plan, search 22/01213/OUTS on Test Valley Borough Council's planning portal.