PLANS for 1,700 new homes as well as retail, health and commercial space that could double the population of a town have been submitted.

The scheme would see land surrounding Alderholt, near Fordingbridge, developed in a scheme that could double the population of the town.

Of the 1,700 homes, the application outlines how it could include up to around 595 affordable properties, a children’s play area, community allotments and a local centre and hub.

Plans for Alderholt Meadows, submitted by Intelligent Land on behalf of Dudsbury Homes Southern Ltd, say it would include a total of 243 one-bed, 150 two-bed, 138 three-bed and 64 homes with four or more bedrooms – including an 80-bed care home.

“It (the scheme) provides a significant opportunity to establish a self-sustaining settlement built on sound planning principles that look to the future in terms of meeting people’s needs for housing, healthy environments, outdoor space, local employment and accessible facilities and services to meet daily needs,” the application states.

“Additionally, and no less important, is the need to address climate change and enhancement of biodiversity.
“Alderholt Meadows is Dudsbury Homes’ vision of how these matters can be accommodated through building beautifully and creating a place that also looks outstanding, drawing on local vernacular examples of good design.”

A ‘vision’ from the developer included in the application says they are aiming to ‘create a place which will inspire and be cherished. A place where community can live sustainably, grow and prosper’.
It adds: “We aim to set a high benchmark in terms of design, sustainability, energy performance, modern methods of construction and biodiversity net gain which positively address climate and ecological emergencies.”
A website created by Dudsbury Homes outlines ‘benefits’ of the development, including the creation of a new medical centre, pharmacy and dentist, investment in a six-day-a-week bus service to Fordingbridge and Ringwood, and funding for improvements to St James’ First School.

However, the scheme has met with opposition from many residents, who have responded to the application.
One wrote: “Alderholt is a lovely village which we love to live in. However, access to the village is already difficult as the roads in are not suitable for lots of traffic.

“If the traffic increases it would be detrimental to the current residents. It would also change the landscape of this lovely village as it will be over crowded.

“Ultimately all this would contribute to value of property being affected.”
Another added: “The roads can not support this amount of traffic. There is no infrastructure to support this amount of homes or people in the village.”

And one resident said: “The lack of infrastructure in the village itself and the surrounding areas can just about cope with the current population.
“Doubling the size of the village will require a huge amount of work on the road systems which are already poorly maintained and suffering with the gravel lorries.
“There is already a chance of accidents on the small this roads and adding to the road users will not help. And they will have to be road users, you cannot live here without access to a car.”

People can comment on the application until April 29.

For more details, and to respond to the scheme, log on to www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and search for application reference P/OUT/2023/01166.