Fareham MP criticises plans for 1,200 home development
Suella Braverman has been speaking at a four-day inquiry into the proposals
Suella Braverman has warned local public services will not be able to cope if a 1,200-home scheme in Fareham secures planning permission.
The Fareham and Waterlooville MP said her constituents had spent several years “anxious and living in fear” about the prospect of the development.
The Conservative politician and former Home Secretary was speaking at a planning inquiry taking place over appellant Hallam Land Management’s proposals.
Permission is being sought for 1,200 homes, an 80-bed care home, a primary school, a local centre for commercial use, a community centre, a healthcare facility, a new country park and sports facilities on land south of Longfield Avenue.
Hallam Land Management launched the appeal after planning authority Fareham Borough Council failed to make a decision on the plans, which were submitted in 2020.
Speaking at the inquiry on Thursday (October 31st), Ms Braverman said she first objected to the application in 2016 and held a large public meeting with Gosport MP Dame Caroline Dinenage, which was attended by more than 100 residents.
She said everyone at that meeting was objected to the proposal and following a significant amount of written correspondence from constituents, she decided to write to the secretary of state requesting a call-in.
Ms Braverman told government-appointed planning inspector Lesley Coffey she had never seen such a “forceful and clear expression” of unanimous objection from the community about an application in her almost 10 years as an MP.
The inquiry previously heard that the appellant and borough council agreed the principle of the development.
Ms Braverman said: “I still maintain, for the record, my disagreement but I accept that once the main parties agree there is very little that I can say to change that particular position.
“Therefore I am here to voice significant concerns about the impact on local healthcare and education services.
“If this scheme goes ahead, much more regard should be given to these vital public services in any developer contribution if we are to avoid serious problems down the line.”
The former attorney general said there were three main reasons for her objection.
These issues were the loss of the “critical strategic gap” that the countryside site provided between Fareham and Stubbington, overcrowding on the road and transport network, and insufficient resources in local healthcare and educational services, including provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Ms Braverman said the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, which commissions services across the county, had objected to the development.
She added: “I come here today on behalf of my constituents and an advocate for those who have serious worries about their quality of life if this scheme goes ahead.
“Whether they can get a school place for their children or grandchildren.
“Whether they can access better GP services.
“How children with special educational needs and disabilities will be supported.
“Right now I do not think this scheme provides the right answers to those matters.
“I accept that we need more homes but these cannot be without the essential new services and appropriate funding that will ensure everyone, newcomers and those already here, are looked after.”
The proposed development site, which sits just outside Ms Braverman’s constituency, is allocated for housing within Fareham Borough Council’s local plan.
The issues in dispute between the main parties in the appeal concerned the level of contributions towards healthcare, highway improvements, public footpaths, the local centre, the sports hub and education.
Meanwhile, the inspector has previously said additional factors include the impact on services and infrastructure, traffic and highways, and the strategic gap.
Following the completion of the inquiry, Ms Coffey will report her conclusions back to Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner, who will make the final decision on the scheme.