Consultation launched on 200 homes in Kingsclere

A consultation has been launched on plans to build 200 new homes in Kingsclere.

Housebuilder Vistry Group is targeting land between the A339 and Ecchinswell Road adjoining Porch Farm – a site to the west of Kingsclere opposite the Shell Garage and long considered to be a potential site for residential development.

In the consultation – which is only open until June 15 – the group presents its “vision” for the site, describing its plans as a “sustainable extension to Kingsclere”.

Up to 200 homes would be built, including 40 per cent affordable, and access would be from a new entrance off the A339.

In the consultation, Vistry Group argues that the site is “well positioned to accommodate residential development, being located adjacent to the current edge of the village, and between two roads leading into Kingsclere".

It adds: “The site has good access to the wider highway network and public transport links, and it offers a sustainable and accessible location for housing growth, including much-needed affordable homes.

“The proposals have been driven by the vision to maximise the development’s relationship with the existing settlement, creating a well-connected and accessible new neighbourhood.”

It says that an open public space will be provided, while the southernmost field “will remain undeveloped and has the potential to be used for allotments, expanding the nearby cemetery, a sports pitch, and delivering a bio-diversity net gain”.

Residents wishing to respond to the consultation can either do so online through the virtual feedback form at https://kingsclere.consultationonline.co.uk, emailing the project team via feedback@consultation-online.co.uk, calling 0800 298 7040, or those without internet access and have received the consultation materials by post can use the feedback form provided.

Vistry Group will be hoping to take advantage of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s lack of a five year housing land supply.

The council is only currently able to demonstrate a 4.5 year supply, which means under the National Policy Planning Framework there is a “presumption in favour of sustainable development”, even if applications are outside established settlement boundaries.

The borough council is in the process of updating its Local Plan, and has allocated 175 homes to be built in Kingsclere – a growth of 13.1 per cent.

The parish council has objected to this number, arguing that it’s excessive and disproportionate for the village.