AN application to build a residential development in Whitehill comprising 71 houses has been submitted to East Hampshire District Council. This latest proposal is in place of a previous application for 77 houses and a foul pumping station, which was withdrawn by the applicant's agent last week. The principle of developing the land west of St Lucia Lodge, Lindford Road, Whitehill, has already been approved by members of EHDC's north planning committee, so this new application is for the reserved matters and the detailed plans for the site. Whitehill Town Council did not object to the previous application, which was withdrawn, but did stress the need for the development to front the A325 to create a well designed and attractive entrance to the town from the north. The council felt that the overall impression of that development failed to do so. Lindford Parish Council also commented on the previous application. A spokesman said: "Traffic problems which are already bad in this area, are likely to be exacerbated with such a large development. "Local residents using the crossroad with the A325 have noticed that the number of accidents has increased with the growing volume of traffic in the area. "An independent pressure group from Lindford village has recently surveyed the number of vehicles using the Lindford Road. "During the morning rush-hour, there are 650 vehicles per hour going towards the crossroads, with queues stretching back to Lindford Bridge. "In the evening, 700 vehicles per hour return along the same road. "There is also concern about the likely access to the new development, as there is currently not only a bus stop right by the fire station, but also entrances to the station itself, to the St Lucia housing estate, and to the Woodland Inn. "Strain on the local infrastructure, in particular, the roads, as noted above, and the capacity of the sewage system to cope with so many new developments in the area, is of great concern to the residents of Lindford."
