350 homes rejected on appeal due to impacts on protected sites

Developer Miller Homes wanted to build on 27 hectares of arable land near Portchester, but was refused planning permission by Fareham Council in April. 

Last week, planning inspector Grahame Gould dismissed the developer’s appeal, arguing that it could harm the integrity of the Portsmouth Harbour Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar Site, the Solent and Southampton SPA and Ramsar site and the Solent and Dorset Coastal Potential SPA, due to the increased risk of flooding and pressure on the environment from recreational activities.