PLANS for a major green field development in Hart have been met with swathes of objections from residents.

Wates Developments and the Calthorpe Estate have been working together to bring forward proposals for a ‘sustainable urban extension’ to the north west of Fleet, towards Hartley Wintney and Winchfield.

Following a year of extensive engagement the developers submitted their planning application to Hart District Council which closed for public comment on Thursday last week.

The 146-acre site would be known as Eveltham Chase and would form “a natural second phase to the previous scheme of Calthorpe Estate, Elvetham Heath.

It would include 700 homes, including 280 affordable dwellings, as well as a new primary school site.

Despite the possibility of a substantial loss of green space in the Hart district, the plans do highlights how around 80 acres will remain undeveloped, with much of it enhanced in a bid to provide the new community with a country park with ponds which will encourage and support wildlife.

Emma Gruenbaum of Wates Developments said: “As a family run business committed to communities and place-making, we really appreciate the time the community has given in discussing the proposals and providing input. We are now delighted to bring forward this high quality, semi-rural scheme.

“We believe that Elvetham Chase will make a significant contribution to delivering Hart District Council’s housing supply requirements, with the first homes being ready for occupation in 2019.

“In addition it will generate millions of pounds in contributions to be spent on improvements to the local transport network, on school places and many other local community facilities.”

She added: “Another benefit we can deliver with this scheme is to assist Elvetham Heath Parish with the delivery of a much-wanted community operated bus service, which came about as part of our extensive engagement.

“This will follow the hugely successful model of the service provided by Hartley Wintney Parish Council and we thank them for working so closely with us in this endeavour.”

However, with green field development at the forefront of resident’s minds when new plans are revealed, the backlash has been somewhat expected given the potential loss of green space in the district should the development be approved.

Once open to public comment a string of almost 100 objections came in prior to last Thursday’s deadline.

A number of issues were highlighted by disgruntled residents including a lack of secondary school places and traffic issues the development would bring.

One of the first to object was a resident of a successful major development in Fleet, Elvetham Heath.

Katie Davies said the area is already under immense strain from increased traffic due to new developments at Edenbrook, Crookham Park and others in Hartley Wintney.

She commented: “Traffic in the morning by the Elvetham Heath railway bridge is grid-locked. An extra 700 houses will mean up to 1,000 or more cars and the local system can’t cope.”

Mrs Davies also highlighted how the new double-decker car park at Fleet station is already at capacity in the morning, while bus services in the area have been reduced and will not be able to take the extra traffic.

“The application includes the building of a new primary school but what about secondary schools,” she added.

“Calthorpe Park has already expanded significantly to absorb extra students from new builds and Court Moor can’t be expanded due to footprint limitation.

“Why are brownfield sites not being investigated instead of more green spaces being eaten up?”

The Fleet and Church Crookham Society also submitted an objection in which it labelled the proposed development “premature”.

The planning watchdog said: “The current infrastructure around Fleet is already overburdened and there is evidence to demonstrate that there will be a shortfall of secondary school places for current pipeline of new homes - without even considering new developments.

“We are of the view that a more strategic delivery plan is required, rather than bolt-on urban extensions that do not add sufficient essential infrastructure.”

Fleet resident Symon Lorenzo was also disapproving on the development and its possible effects on the area. “The valley of the River Hart is a naturally beautiful area. There will be a loss of hedges, trees and fields. It will destroy the semi-rural character of the approach to Winchfield, Fleet and Hartley Wintney.

“The area around the development is a haven for wildlife the developer’ proposal does not address this issue. When the green fields are gone they are gone for good.”

Mr Lorenzo added: “The development is against Hart’s policy to allow development of green field sites. There are enough brownfield sites to meet demand. Hart has a six years land supply exceeding the requirement.”

For more details about the application, see the website www.elvetham-chase.com.

Hart District Council is due to decide the application by February 20, 2017.