CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 16 homes on green belt land in the New Forest have been withdrawn by the applicant.

The district council received 40 letters of objection after AJC Homes submitted an outline application to redevelop a large L-shaped site off Lower Ashley Road, New Milton.

The company sought consent to build a mixture of affordable and open market homes on land between Spring Lane and Glen Spey.

But the application came under fire from people living in the area, who said it would create extra traffic problems as well as destroying an area "rich in wildlife".

Gillian Blakey, of Glen Spey, was one of several people who raised concerns about road safety in the area.

In a letter to the council she said: "Lower Ashley Road mostly has no pavement which forces pedestrians on to the road, including lots of children who walk to the infant school.

"The road is used as a rat-run and cut through between the A337 and Ashley.

"It will not be able to cope with the extra traffic generated by vehicles associated with 16 houses. It is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident."

Juanita Woods, of Spring Lane, added: "The proposed entrance, Glen Spey, is extremely dangerous being on a blind corner. An accident waiting to happen."

Other objectors focused on what they described as the potential threat to wildlife.

Janet Light, of Spring Lane, said: "This site strongly meets the requirements of green belt, having been undisturbed for years.

"I regularly see all manner of birds and mammals, and this is increasing as time goes by. All of this would be completely destroyed, which goes against everything we are being told about preserving our wildlife and diverse landscape."

AJC sought consent for ten three-bedroom homes and six two-bedroom properties.

The application said sites such as Spring Lane/Glen Spey helped meet the need for affordable housing "which cannot be provided in any other way".

It added: "It has been demonstrated that suitable access and parking can be provided on site and that the proposed development would not have a significant impact on the surrounding highway network.

"The site can support this level of development while retaining the mature tree specimens on the boundaries."

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