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26 new houses in Green Belt

by Alex Brims on 8 April, 2018

The derelict Grange House

26 houses on Ranvilles Lane and Oakcroft Lane

There has been a planning application for 26 houses on the land next to Ranvilles Lane and Oakcroft Lane near the Ark RSPCA centre.

It is controversial as part of the land is on the site of the derelict Grange House and part of the land is in the strategic gap between Stubbington and Fareham.

The Monkey puzzel tree on of the trees in the garden of Grange House

Although it would be welcomed for the removal of the derelict house which has unsurprising attracted vandals, the building on the strategic gap would set a precedent to developers that we are happy for the strategic to be built on.

The small section of land may be of little impact on the overall gap but if built on would just make another section the least impacting, until there is no gap left. It can be argued by developers that the site would form a spur into the Strategic Gap, which might be claimed as creating a new building line to justify further development. The strategic gap is either a green gap or it is not, it can’t be both.

Residents nearby are divided on the plan. Many would welcome demolition of The Grange, which is derelict and a target for vandals. One local has said “We would be very pleased to see the derelict property developed, which will hopefully deal with some of the recent vandalism we have experienced. We will also be happy to welcome new residents into our congregations.”

One local resident is concerned about the border with the cemetery and the unmarked graves.  and Others fear new homes would put new traffic onto Oakcroft Lane, which is already a rat-run.

Artist Impression of the Ranvilles lane Planning application. (link to original PDF)

The site of Grange house contains some lovely trees which would ideal to be preserved as part of any development.

Although the developer’s application says there is no cycle provision close by, both Ranvilles Lane and Oakcroft Lane are listed on the Fareham’s cycle map as link roads convenient for cyclists. (Ranvilles Lane is a lovely route into Fareham much nicer than Peak Lane.) The more traffic that is on these roads the more cyclist will be put off cycling resulting in even more cars and pollution.

Ranvilles Lane is an ancient travel route. Even kings and Queens used Ranvilles Lane as the main route from Winchester to Portsmouth.  King Henery VIII is believed to have traveled along the lane on the morning of the infamous sinking of the Mary Rose. He had stayed at Titchfield Abbey the night before and would have crossed the Meon river opposite the Abbey. Titchfield was still a sea fishing port at the time.  So the deep sunken road of Ranvilles Lane outside Grange House was dug by the wheels of royal horses, carts and carriages.

If you want to add your views, support or objections to the development please visit the Fareham.gov website application P/18/0263/OA

 

The site of the planning application for 26 new homes.
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