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The
Lymington Society
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REDROW Development of Waterside Property Near Lymington
Town Station
(Formerly the Webb's Chicken Factory)
SEE New Applications at bottom of page
This site is a very significant one for Lymington. It is the introduction to the town for visitors from the direction of Beaulieu. It also includes precious riverside frontage, which is surprisingly rare in the town.
The Lymington society has taken an interest in this site from the time when the factory was closed. Indeed we tried hard to have it recognised as a significant local asset.
Background
The Lymington Society has been concerned about the development of the ex. Webb's Chicken Factory site since the factory closed down in mid 2001. We took these concerns to the Officers and Councillors of the New Forest Council during a meeting with them in Oct. 2001
Our main concern was that, despite the previous uses of the site for employment, the Council should be open to possible new uses. We felt that the site presented a one-off chance to enhance the town for generations to come which should not be lost by over emphasis of old planning policies that did not recognise the unique nature of the site. We were involved in producing our own recommendation for the site which we have presented to our members and to the New Forest District Council.
We also took part in a consultation meeting at which the Site Agents introduced the two short listed developers Barrett's and Banner Homes. These companies presented their plans in detail. At the meeting in Lymington in May 2002 these companies presented their plans and we were able to expand on the position that we had developed in consultation with our members and others including the working party convened by Richard Webb. We then submitted a detailed report on the proposals to the Sites Agents for their consideration when choosing the eventual developers.
The Society's View
The Lymington Society feels that this site is a unique site which cries out for special consideration. Despite previous uses, we emphatically do not feel that this site should be used for industry due to its position:
- Next to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
- Adjacent to a Conservation Area
- On the banks of the Lymington River
- In an area of outstanding natural beauty
The NFDC is adamant that the area should maintain as many jobs as possible and has issued planning guidance to this effect. The Society feels that this site should not be considered part of the region's stock of industrial land but as an area where the Town of Lymington can create an exciting area for future generations.
Key to this are the following main aims:
- The area should become a extension of the Town Centre with mixed uses including housing, work/live units (allowing people to live above their work), waterside restaurants/cafe, leisure facilities.
- A connection should be established if at all possible to the Quay to allow tourists to have access to the area.
- A wide River Walk should be established with trees and planting, plus play area to encourage families to visit the area.
- Jobs should come out of the natural growth of mixed small scale uses NOT through the building of large industrial uses.
- The Community should gain from the site in some way through facilities such as a Hotel/Conference Centre or public open space.
- Any housing should be a mix of social and commercial , and not become a ghetto of expensive houses.
Planning to Date
In 2005 there was an application to build 306 flats and a Hotel. The Society expressed its objections to the hearing, and issued a press release. The application was successful, but building did not proceed.
In 2007 there was an application to replace the hotel with a care home. The Society submitted an objection in the form of evidence to the planners.
In 2010 members of the Society's committee were invited to view new development ideas by Redrow, the new owners of the site. The brief was circulated at the Society's AGM for the information of members.
Recently there has been an attempt to solve one of the difficulties of the site: the potential hazard of access so close to the railway level crossing. An planning application was submitted for a mini-roundabout at the site's access to Bridge Road. The Society is concerned about the safety of the junction, and is not convinced that a mini-roundabout offers a safe solution. We submitted an objection to the application
On March 24th 2010 a public enquiry was held into the application. The enquiry was attended by members of the Society's committee, and Chris Howe of the Pennington Residents' Association. Click HERE for their evidence and feedback.
New applications March 2010
As the original planning permission is reaching its 5 year limit, Redrow are applying for a time extension.
There are three applications. The first is a copy of the original. The second includes remediation for contamination found on the site and the third is for the roundabout, based on an assumption of the outcome of the public enquiry:
App Number: 10/95309
Proposal:
Mixed use development comprising 205 private dwellings; 93 affordable
dwellings; 10 live/work units; 100 bed hotel; restaurant; office accommodation;
1 retail unit; pedestrian bridge over railway; riverside walkway; car parking
& access (Extension of time limit of Planning Permission 04/82337)
Applicant: Mr G Hill
App Number: 10/95286
Proposal:
Mixed use development comprising 205 private dwellings; 93 affordable
dwellings; 10 live/work units; 100 bed hotel; restaurant; office accommodation;
1 retail unit; pedestrian bridge over railway; riverside walkway; car parking
& access (Removal of Condition 3 of Planning Permission 04/82337 to
enable occupation of buildings to be phased with remediation of the site,
in accordance with an agreed scheme to deal with any contamination of the
site)
Applicant: Mr G Hill
App Number: 10/95287
Proposal:
Construction of 3 arm mini roundabout (Lawful Development Certificate
that permission is not required for proposal)
Applicant:
Mr G Hill