Fareham approves garden village outline plans

Fareham Borough Council has granted outline planning permission for a new garden village in Hampshire, with up to 6,000 homes.

The council’s planning committee has approved the application from developers Buckland Development for Welborne Garden Village and a new community with supporting shops and community facilities, employment space, schools, parks and open spaces.

The proposals also include detailed plans for the redesign of Junction 10 of the M27 and other changes to the local road network.

A detailed planning agreement between the local authority and Buckland Development will now be finalised over the coming months.

In a statement, the council said there remains a significant funding gap for work on Junction 10 of the M27.

It added that lobbying for funding from government will now begin and development will not be able to commence until all the funding is in place.

Planning committee chairman, Cllr Nick Walker said it was the largest planning application the committee has ever considered.

‘We have carefully looked at the proposals and believe the development will play a crucial part in delivering much needed new homes for the borough, in a desirable new setting,’ added Cllr Walker.

According to Buckland Development, more than 7,000 jobs will be created in the construction phase of Welborne, and an estimated 5,700 permanent jobs will be created across the business, retail, education, healthcare and leisure activities on site.

Green space and environmental sustainability will also be ingrained in Welborne’s masterplan, with woodland, parkland, play areas and natural habitat creation prioritised through each stage of development.

There will be 84 hectares of open natural green space and woodland, and 25 hectares of parks and green space, including 13 playgrounds

The chairman of Buckland Development, Mark Thistlethwayte added: ‘We are delighted by the committee’s positive decision today.

‘Reaching this point has taken more than a decade of carefully considered work, resource and investment by Buckland,’ he added.

‘Our approach has always been about creating a place everyone will be proud of and will be of benefit to residents for generations to come. As master developer of Welborne, Buckland is in a unique position to make Welborne special – this decision is a significant milestone enabling us to continue with our long-term vision and commitment to delivering Welborne.’

Photo Credit – Supplied by Fareham Borough Council