The controversial plans to build on Snails Lane, near Blashford Lakes, have sparked outrage from nearby residents in recent years.
Gladman Developments Ltd first applied to New Forest District Council to build around 140 new dwellings near Ringwood in 2018.
A new proposal has since been put forward for properties, including affordable housing, new infrastructure such as children’s play areas and vehicular access from the A338.
Following a consultation, which ended on April 15, 965 people wrote in objection while just three supported it.
Proposed development at Snails Lane (Image: Gladman Developments Ltd)
The Environment Agency objected to the plans over flooding concerns.
Ringwood resident, Kay Jones, also opposed the application over flood risks, concerns over tragic congestion and the impact on local infrastructure such as schools and doctor surgeries.
“The impact on the local environment will be devastating,” she said.
Daniel Jones, also from Ringwood, said although he notes the affordable housing benefits, he believes the scale and location of the plans poses critical issues.
He raised concerns over the impact on local services, traffic and safety, environmental worries and how it would harm the character of the area.
Keith Partridge from Sandleheath, said: “This area is one of outstanding natural beauty, and any development would cause irreversible harm to its landscape and wildlife.”
He added that environments like this “have taken centuries to develop yet could be destroyed by a single poor planning application”.
In the planning statement, developers said the plans have adopted a ‘landscape-led design’ which has been inspired by the area around it.
The development plans to incorporate wetland habitat, retention and enhancement of existing woodlands, trees and hedgerows, as well as provide the opportunity for enhancing biodiversity.
It is said that Snails Lane has been recognised as a strategic site for residential development of at least 100 new homes and open space.
Regarding flood risk concerns, the developers said all houses would be in flood zone one, an area with low probability of flooding from rivers and seas.
Although some of the site sits on flood zones two and three, medium and high risk, no homes are planned to be built there.
Gladman’s also have plans in place for surface water drainage, where water will be treated after going through permeable paving and discharged into the existing downstream at an “appropriately restricted rate”.
The application is now being decided by New Forest District Council’s planning department on whether it will be recommended and/or go to a committee.