LAND AT SOMERSET FIELDS, 

Bentley, Hampshire

Welcome to Manor Oak Homes’ public consultation website for our proposed new rural exception site at Land at Somerset Fields, Bentley in Hampshire.

Our Vision: Manor Oak Homes are pleased to announce we will shortly be submitting a planning application for a new rural exception site of up to 12 quality new homes including 75% affordable housing designed to meet local needs.

The Proposed Development

• This is a Rural Exception site because the bulk of the proposed houses (9) will be affordable which will meet the needs of the village.
• The needs of the village currently are 20 households with a local connection to Bentley.
• A low-density scheme at approximately 12 dwellings per hectare, suited to the village edge location.
• A layout which will include generous landscaping and open space throughout the development and at the western edge.
• New vehicular access drawn from the adjacent housing development at Somerset Fields.
• An integrated SUDS drainage system.
• The dwellings shall only be either 1.5 or 2 storey.

Background

The application will seek to respond to the urgent need for new affordable homes across East Hampshire, and in particular local identified needs in Bentley.

Manor Oak Homes and Armstrong Rigg Planning have identified that the best way to bring forward new homes on the application site, in this case,  is via a small-scale low density housing scheme suitable for this edge of village location. It is also consistent with a key objective of the Bentley Neighbourhood Plan that development be at a scale of 8-12 dwellings in pockets connected to the village.

Importantly and in accordance with policy CP14 of the Local Plan the majority of homes proposed (75%), equating to 9no. dwellings will be affordable tenure  – social rent or shared ownership. The policy allows for an element of market housing (up to 30%).

The proposals have also been carefully designed to avoid sensitive viewpoints from the Conservation Area to the south, which will be reinforced by generous areas of open space in a landscaped setting.  

Public Consultation Event

We would like to invite residents of Bentley to a Public Exhibition to view the initial proposals and speak to representatives from the development team, who will be available to answer any questions you may have. It will also provide an opportunity to comment on the proposals. The Public Exhibition will take place at:

Venue:                             Bentley Memorial Hall

Date:                                Saturday 6th November 2021

Opening Times:             2pm-5pm

As well as a leaflet drop and the aforementioned public exhibition, we have set up this dedicated consultation page so that residents have the opportunity to ask questions, or to comment on the proposals online if they are unable to attend the event in person.

A comments form can be found below alongside a PDF version of the Public Exhibition Boards and the Leaflet that was posted to nearby residents. 

Data Protection: all contact details and comments will only be used expressly in connection with this consultation.

We welcome your views on our proposals:

As part of developing our proposals, we would like feedback from local people about what this future environment should look like and how it will best fit in with your community and your surrounding areas.

We would like to hear your views on areas such as:
– Public open space 
– Broad mix of homes
– Access and connectivity
– Affordable homes