Windhover roundabout: Bursledon industrial estate plan near M27 by Wates Group draws ire from politicians

Fresh opposition has been raised after plans were formally submitted for a major industrial development on farmland near the M27.

Developer Wates Group has lodged an application with Eastleigh Borough Council to build on 11.4 hectares of employment land near the Windhover Roundabout, with proposals for up to 200,000 sq ft of commercial floorspace.

The application has already drawn criticism from residents and local politicians, who have raised concerns about the scale of the buildings and the potential impact on traffic.

The scheme would primarily comprise warehousing, with buildings reaching a maximum height of 15 metres, alongside around 15,000 sq ft of ancillary office and support space.

Plans also include up to 175 car parking spaces, 28 HGV spaces and service yards capable of accommodating up to 24 lorries, as well as associated infrastructure such as sprinkler tanks, pump houses, substations and gatehouses.

New access roads are proposed from the A3024 Bursledon Road and A27 West End Road, alongside traffic signals and other highway improvements.

However, concerns have focused on congestion around the Windhover Roundabout and surrounding roads, including Hamble Road, which residents say are already operating at capacity.

Eastleigh Borough Council leader Keith House criticised the application on social media, saying it had been submitted despite clear opposition from the authority.

He said: “This planning application has been submitted against the advice of Eastleigh Borough Council, which made it very clear this gap and countryside site was not suitable for development.

“The arrogance of the applicant is astonishing. I am confident this will be refused, but the more people that write in, the better.”

Paul Holmes MP also expressed disappointment at the submission, saying concerns raised had been “completely ignored” and that roads in the area will already face extra stress in te coming years because of the plan to 250,000 tonnes of sand and gravel at Hamble Airfield.

He said: “Having met with the Wates Group and raised my serious concerns, I am disappointed that my concerns, and the concerns of those living in the area, have been completely ignored.

“Windhover Roundabout acts as an important strategic gap and already experiences traffic congestion, which is likely to be made much worse by the quarry development, let alone another injudicious development.

“Whilst Wates are trying to justify the development based on job creation, there is no guarantee that these jobs will be filled by local people. It is highly likely that people will be travelling in from other areas to work at the warehouse, contributing to traffic congestion, air pollution and noise pollution.

“I am very disappointed by this short-sighted decision and blatant disregard for the wishes of local people.”

Wates said the development could attract national and international businesses, create up to 800 jobs and generate a £539 million boost to the local economy.

The developer also estimates the council could receive around £31 million in business rates over 30 years.

More than 80 comments have already been submitted since the application was lodged, with the consultation running until June 26.

Comments can be submitted via the council’s planning portal using reference O/26/101417.