HUNDREDS of residents have slammed "absurd" plans to build 140 homes near a nature reserve in the New Forest.

Applicant Gladman Developments Limited wants to build on the land at Snails Lane in Blashford, which is currently used as an equestrian and agricultural site.

It comes after the company submitted plans for a similar development for 143 homes, which was refused in June 2021.

The site is near the Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) adjacent to the New Forest National Park.

The new proposal has already received over 343 objections as residents are concerned over flooding, biodiversity threats, and environmental impact of houses built on the land. 

The initial application was submitted in 2018 and was rejected by the council in 2021. 

(Image: An aerial view of the flooding on Blashford Meadows, Credit: Blashford Meadows Environmental Protect)

Commenting on the planning application, Ms Elaine Rose, who lives in Rockford, said she was "appalled" by the plans near to her home, adding: "There is no infrastructure to support these homes [ and] the A338 is dangerous and congested already."

Mrs Donna Foster, who lives at Lakeside, Ringwood also raised concerns over a potential increase in the amount of traffic on the A338. 

She said: "I complete object to this ruination of a beautiful nature reserve and more housing in the Ringwood area and boundary's alongside the national park we are slowly being hemmed in by all these new builds and greedy developers."

In 2021, New Forest District Council received more than 500 objections. 

Trevor Parsons said: "I've been visiting Blashford lakes for over ten years now it's one of my happy places it's a rare place where you've got a chance to feed Robins off your hand, see a white tailed fish eagle and see a kingfisher fly by.

"I very strongly object to this new planning proposal."

(Image: Credit: Blashford Meadows Environmental Protect Group Facebook)

Simon Woolley, from Blashford Meadows Environmental Protection Group, has described the plans as "absurd". 

Mr Woolley, who has lived near the Blashford Lakes area for fifteen years, objects to the application because of "the inadequacy of road infrastructure and the proximity of the site to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and surrounding lakes".

Mr. Woolley said: “I'm stressed that we put in so much work five years ago to fight this absurd proposal and obviously it come back as a larger proposal now.

“It's someone wanting to build a lot of homes to make a great deal of money.

“However, the plan has been resubmitted, with an even greater footprint, and even more habitat to be lost, and traffic generation.”

(Image: Barbastelle, a scarce bat. Credit: Blashford Meadows Environmental Protect Group Facebook)

Applicants Gladman has said in its new proposal it has "created a scheme that responds to the physical, environmental and policy constraints of the Site and its surroundings".

It added that the new proposal has been shaped by pre-application engagement with the Council and other stakeholders. 

The builders also argue that the application has been submitted as a response to the pressing need for new market and affordable housing in New Forest District. Through delivering 140 residential dwellings, of which 70 dwellings will be provided in affordable tenures, this will support the creation of a cohesive and vibrant new neighbourhood.