MAJOR plans for a new housing estate of nearly 900 homes in Christchurch have been unveiled - but there won't be a new school or doctors surgery on site.

The outline proposal for the 875 houses at Roeshot Hill has been been submitted to Christchurch Borough Council.

Developers Taylor Wimpey are asking the council for permission for the extensive housing development, as well as approval for access roads.

However, a more detailed application, to come at a later date will include plans for a new community building, bus access from Sainsbury's, a central area of open space including two floodlit all weather sports pitches, a road bridge over the River Mude as well as more open space.

The current application says 35 per cent of the 875 mixed size housing would be affordable.

And it is asking permission for access from the new neighbourhood to Lyndhurst Road as well as an on slip road to the A35 Christchurch bypass, and inbound access to the site from the bypass via Hawthorn Road.

There will also be more green space around the development, with applications for Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace already submitted.

Addressing concerns raised previously about the lack of doctors surgery and school at a 2015 consultation event, a detailed design and access statement said: "The local education authority has indicated that the existing schools have some capacity and that there is an opportunity to expand provision within these schools to accommodate children living within new homes to be delivered as part of the urban extension.

"New school provision is not therefore required. However as part of the masterplan development consideration has been given to locating a primary school on the site."

It also says the local NHS trust says there is no requirement for another doctors surgery to serve the site, but they would like to see healthy lifestyles "considered as part of the plan".

However, the application does suggest that a 'modest' retail provision could be provided on Lyndhurst Road, although it is not included in these plans.

The developers statement says Roeshot Hill will "redefine the northern edge of the town and open up improved access to the countryside.

"Fundamentally Roeshot Hill will provide an attractive place to live with a mix of homes from small starters to large

family houses fronting onto a connected network of streets, spaces and courtyards.

"Homes will be laid out to create distinctive settings, either clustered around intimate courtyards, fronting and overlooking the park or other smaller spaces or lining the main streets."

Access roads

The access from Lyndhurst Road would be where the current layby is on the A35 at Roeshot Hill, with inbound access at Staple Cross via Hawthorn Road, and outbound onto the A35 between Staple Cross and the Somerford roundabout.

The developers do acknowledge that Roeshot Hill has a bad accident record, and that high speeds and traffic volume makes the A35 'hazardous' for crossing.

But the plans do aim to address the issues with new crossings on Lyndhurst Road and reduced speed limits, the report says.

Overhead pylons

High voltage overhead cables on the site, which provide the only power feed into Christchurch, will be 'undergrounded'.

They will be relocated to a corridor of land on the south side of the railway embankment, but still within control of Southern Electric.

'Vision' for estate

At the heart of the housing estate, will be the new Roeshot Park. Through the middle of the park, will run the River Mude.

There will be a mix of homes - from small starters to large family houses.

They will be laid out around intimate courtyards, overlooking the park or lining main streets, with shared spaces also included in the plans.

As well as the main Roeshot Park which will include sports pitches and a children's play park, there will be a number of pocket parks around the site.

Fitness trails have also been suggested along the green spaces and SANG areas, to include equipment such as pull up bars and sit up beams.

Although the Roeshot Allotments do not form part of the site at the moment, the land could be integrated at a later date.

Flood risk

The majority of the site is within a flood zone one - low probability of flooding. But the sites along the River Mude, are at higher risk.

To combat the risk of surface water flooding, a series of swales and ponds will be built for water to flow into the River Mude, which runs through the heart of the site.

The ponds and swales will capture rainwater as part of a "sustainable urban drainage system".