Watchdog welcomes revised plans for Lymington’s largest ever housing development

Redrow Construction, which owns Lymington Shores, the former Webbs factory site off Bridge Road, has outlined a potential new scheme to New Forest District Council and Lymington Society.

Cllr Tony Swain told Lymington Town Council there would be a pedestrian railway bridge linking the development with the centre via Lymington Station.

It would lead to a central plaza with a fan of walkways spreading out, with blocks of flats between them.

A riverside walkway would be landscaped with trees and gardens.

The number of homes would be reduced by 100 to 250 including social housing. Plans for a care home and live/work units have been dropped and the only commercial element is a restaurant.

Donald MacKenzie of Lymington Society said: “In the event that a development of this density is approved, we welcome the overall concept of the site where the development is part of the town and an extension of the town centre.

“That is what we always argued for.”

District planning chairman Cllr Pat Wyeth warned the plans were not set in stone.

“It’s really an overall view of what they thought might take place, but it’s not definite.”

She said Redrow is talking to Network Rail about the possibility of a bridge over the branch line.

“That has always been on the cards because that’s something that we’ve always asked for to link it to Lymington town centre.

“They do have to provide a substantial number of affordable homes on the site, about 35 per cent, something like that.

“It’s quite a prominent site and it’s got to be right. It’s got to add to the town and not detract from it.”

Cllr Swain said: “Without the bridge access the place could become a sort of ghetto, being separate from the rest of the town.”

Redrow has an outstanding appeal against refusal of roundabout access to the site.

A spokesman said: “As the matter is currently the subject of a planning appeal, Redrow’s preferred approach at this stage is not to offer any comment.”