Gosport councillor vows to keep fighting as housing plans go before planning inspectorate

Earlier this month, Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage asked housing secretary Robert Jenrick to look into two applications for a total of 190 homes, which could ‘close the strategic gap’ between Fareham and Gosport.

The applications are for 75 and 115 homes on land along Newgate Lane East.

But following non-determination by Fareham Borough Council, applicants Bargate Homes and Fareham Land LP has appealed to the national planning inspectorate, which will hold a public inquiry to make a decision.

Councillor Stephen Philpott, a Gosport councillor for the Peel Common ward, has been a long-standing opponent to housing in the strategic gap – land that separates Fareham from Gosport.

He says he will continue to battle against the plans – and has urged the public to have their say.

‘I have been opposed to these homes ever since the applications were submitted,’ he said.

‘The whole purpose of building Newgate Lane East was to ease congestion for people driving in and out of Gosport.

‘It would be counter-productive to then build these houses right next to it.

‘Furthermore, it’s in the strategic gap and people here feel very strongly about that.’

In the planning application, both developers have argued that the sites help to maintain the strategic gap.

They believe there is a ‘significant belt of open space’ to the west of the developments – though a third planning application has also been submitted for that site.

The planning inspectorate is part of the government’s Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

All appeals over planning applications are dealt with there, alongside council local plans and national infrastructure projects.

Cllr Philpott said it is ‘rare’ for applications to go to appeal via non-determination. This is where the council not making a decision in time.

He said: ‘If people want to have their say, it can be done online or by sending a letter to the planning inspectorate.

‘I will certainly be having my say and I urge others to do the same.’

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