CONCERNED residents packed a school hall as plans for almost 150 new homes in Fordingbridge were unveiled.

The impact on schools, doctors, and traffic were among fears raised at the exhibition at Burgate as developers Pennyfarthing Homes and the Highwood Group showcased their proposals for Whitsbury Road.

About 260 people turned out to find out about the plans for 148 homes, which are still in the early stages and include a mix of family sized homes and smaller apartments, plus a new public open space.

The developers say the proposal will help to meet demand for houses across the district and is outside of the green belt.

Local resident Julian Hewitt said: “It’s good to have development - it brings business into town and so supports local businesses. So long as the infrastructure is improved, there are extra school places, and provision for affordable housing.”

But, he questioned whether local schools and the “already under pressure” GP surgery could cope.

Bill Edwards, who lives near the development, also raised concerns about the impact on infrastructure and local facilities. He said he was worried about problems increased traffic could cause, especially for older people in the town.

Another resident said facilities and services were already “stretched to the limit”.

Resident Jason Wright said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the green space allocation but had concerns about traffic. Another resident said the development looked to be of a “good, high standard”.

Concerns were also raised about worsening flooding problems in that area of the town.

One resident said: “We haven’t got the infrastructure to support this. This is a small town. I don’t know how it is going to cope.”

The site is made up of one parcel of land to the east and one to the west of Whitsbury Road, on the northern edge of Fordingbridge.

A Pennyfarthing Homes and the Highwood Group (PFH/HG) spokesman said: “The scheme will positively develop an allocated site with much needed affordable and market housing designed to be in keeping with the local area. PFH/HG received many positive comments on their proposals including the introduction of affordable housing in the form of starter homes, the proposed green spaces and the proposed school drop-off area. Useful feedback was also gleaned both at and since the exhibition into these proposals. We will be providing a summary of the comments received from our consultation and any design responses arising from them as part of our planning application. We would therefore invite further responses from any local residents who haven’t already kindly done so by January 4.”

For more information go to whitsburyroad.co.uk. A planning application is hoped to be submitted to New Forest District Council in the new year.