AN application for 14 new homes on land north of Croft Lane in Crondall, Farnham (15/02989/FUL) has sparked a debate among residents who fear for the safety of the community if the development was to go ahead.

However, applicants Friday Street Developments have made clear that highway safety and the welfare of residents is on the top of its priority list.

The site, which is almost opposite Crondall Primary, comprises five affordable homes and nine market price homes, with garages and parking spaces, an access road and a roadside lay-by.

Friday Street Developments is a locally based business which alongside its development team has been working on the scheme for more than four years.

Croft Lane is becoming increasingly hazardous for children journeying to and from school, as traffic and parking is getting out of control, states a Crondall resident and father of two, who wishes to remain anonymous.

Highlighting that 14 new homes in the area would cause an exponential increase in traffic, he said: “The impact would be felt immediately and could only worsen with time. It is only a matter of time before a child or a parent is killed.

“I appreciate the need to provide truly affordable housing and I believe that Crondall should absolutely agree to its fair share of development, but building on this site would exacerbate an existing problem unnecessarily.

“In the past, I have lived through two separate children’s deaths (friends) due to road accidents. I recall only too well the disbelief on finding out a child has gone, and the community’s subsequent soul searching, especially as in both cases it was avoidable.”

A spokesperson for Friday Street Developments, said careful attention has been paid to the highway implications of the development and a footpath is also included within the site frontage so parents and pupils are segregated from vehicles in Croft Lane:

“These improvements have the support of the Highways Authority, Hampshire County Council, which has raised no objection to the development proposal on highway safety grounds.

“Highway safety is an important issue and should never be ignored. It is estimated that some eight vehicle movements would occur as a result of the development during the morning school drop-off period and seven movements during the school pick-up period.

“That level of traffic movement is very low and should not place parents and children at risk.”

In line with comments received from the Local Highway Authority, a pedestrian crossing point will be provided at the western end of the site, allowing safe and convenient access to Crondall School from the other side of the road.