A group opposing more than 1,000 homes on the edge of Romsey has reacted with anger after more updates were submitted at the start of the school holidays.

New updates including a bridge over the railway line, which would provide links to Botley Road, Whitenap Lane, Taburn Road, the A27 and A3057, have been submitted by developers Ashfield Partnership.

The bridge has long been a sticking point for many residents.

The timing of the new details have been criticised by opposition group Romsave, a long-term opponent to the plan for 1,100 homes at Whitenap, which includes open space, roads, parking, service infrastructure, local food production and landscaping.

Richard Buss, a member of the Romsave group and resident of The Tyleshades, said: “The Ashfield Partnership's arrogance, disrespect and total disregard for the people of Romsey seems to know no bounds.  

“Notification of a further consultation landed the day before the busiest exodus of the summer holidays. It is national best practice for planning consultation with communities not to be conducted through school holidays and certainly not during the school summer holiday period.

Whitenap map (Image: TVBC)

“We are deeply disappointed to see the applicant and Hampshire County Council's transport department are still adamantly pursuing bus transport access through Tadburn Road. It is clear that neither HCC, TVBC or the Ashfield Partnership are actually listening to the local people of Romsey.

“The timing of this consultation is a deliberate attempt to cause consultation fatigue and make it appear the community is happy with this application. We will be taking the time to stringently review all these documents and will be making a formal response and an alternative suggestion to the proposed transport link and the bridge in due course.

“No matter where you live in or around Romsey, this development will have a huge impact on everyone’s daily lives so it is important that the right plans come forward and residents are given the opportunity to have their say and have their voices heard, after all it’s the residents living in Romsey that know Romsey the best.”

Hundreds of people have objected to the scheme since it was first submitted to Test Valley Borough Council in 2022. However, just one has been added to the most recent updates. 

Kayleigh Stainer, who gives an address as 'Romsey resident', said: “I highly dispute the application for the development of 1,100 houses. There is not the space or infrastructure, roads are already gridlocked at peak times and have deteriorated in the last 10 years. Also this is a valued green space for dog walks and for hedgehogs, all this will be destroyed.”

In a statement, the Ashfield Partnership said: “We believe we’ve found a feasible solution to enable a bridge to be delivered at an appropriate time which we hope may be acceptable to the Council.”

For more details about the planning application online, search 22/01213/OUTS.