KPPC has secured full planning permission for the regeneration of an important brownfield site with much-needed new homes in a conservation area in Hampshire.
New Forest District Council’s planning committee gave unanimous approval for the Colten Developments application to transform an unattractive former Jewson builders’ merchants in Lymington town centre.
It will be replaced by a high-quality development of 16 open market homes – nine townhouse style family houses and seven apartments – with landscaping, courtyard gardens and parking in a sustainable and prominent gateway location in Gosport Street.
Expert planning advice in relation to strategy and addressing key issues and requirements was fundamental to getting council officers on board from the outset and engaging on matters of detail.
The positive approach from KPPC was instrumental in working through to a recommendation for approval from all officers.
Quality of design was key with officers telling the committee that the scheme would ‘materially enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area’.
KPPC have provided support throughout the planning process and the evolution of the scheme.
The development gained support from Lymington and Pennington Town Council, while there were no objections from all of the technical consultees, including highways, conservation, ecology, drainage and environmental health authorities.
Ken Parke, KPPC chief executive, said: “Planning committee members clearly recognised the myriad benefits that this scheme will bring to a key brownfield site in Lymington town centre.
“It is an attractive and sensitively designed development which enhances the character of the surrounding neighbourhood and conservation area while delivering much-needed housing in a highly sustainable location.
“A comprehensive and well-considered package of expert reports that supported the application, along with a recommendation for approval by council officers, allowed committee members to grant permission and pave the way for regeneration of the site.”
GREEN LIGHT: Site plan of development of 16 new homes on former builders’ merchant site in Lymington (Picture: Colten Developments)
The council’s inability to currently demonstrate a five-year housing land supply also meant that that the delivery of additional housing carried significant weight in favour of development.
Located at 42-52 Gosport Road, the site operated as a builders’ merchants from the 1950s until its closure in 2023.
Specialist consultants demonstrated that the site was no longer suitable or viable for continued commercial or office use.
Within walking distance of shops, public transport and local services, the scheme brings a brownfield site back into productive use in a highly sustainable town centre location.
It removes unattractive industrial buildings, storage areas and steel fencing. It also cuts traffic movements by 66% compared with its former builders’ merchant use – including the removal of regular HGV deliveries – from 201 to 66 per day.
Independently verified and comprehensive viability studies concluded that affordable housing could not reasonably be delivered on the site.
The site is included in the council’s Brownfield Land Register and Neighbourhood Plan.
KPPC, founded in 2023, is based in Bournemouth from where its experienced team of chartered town planners support clients across the UK.
Colten Developments is an independent family-owned firm with a long track record of high quality construction projects.
Images: Colten Developments
