Idyllic green space could be torn apart to make way for 300 new homes as locals fear irreversible change

Three local groups, the Hayling Island Residents' Association, Save Rook Farm and Save Our Island, have united to challenge the proposal at a planning inquiry scheduled for later this month.

"We are fighting for Hayling Island's future," said HIRA chair Anne Skennerton, expressing concern approval would trigger a wave of similar applications across the island.

The coalition has been forced to mount its own defence after Havant Borough Council confirmed it would not oppose the developer's appeal, sparking fury among residents, who feel abandoned.

A spokesman for the resident coalition described the situation as "a staggering abdication of responsibility".

They added: "The community is now doing the job the council, to whom we pay our taxes, should be doing on our behalf. We are the ones hiring experts and preparing technical evidence to prove that our infrastructure simply cannot support another 300 homes on this site."

To fight the appeal, the groups have engaged law firm Leigh Day and launched a crowdfunding drive seeking £48,000 for specialist legal representation.

Having secured Rule 6 party status, the residents will be entitled to submit evidence, question witnesses and build a comprehensive case against the scheme at the forthcoming inquiry.

Infrastructure limitations top the list of resident concerns, with the island accessible only via the A3023.

The local plan currently excludes large housing sites on Hayling Island precisely because of these constraints.

Campaigners fear a successful appeal would establish a precedent, effectively making the island "open season" for developers.

Beyond traffic, the coalition will highlight flood risks, the destruction of high-quality farmland that supports dark-bellied brent geese and deer, and potential harm to nearby Grade II-listed buildings.

Barratt Homes maintains traffic generated by the development "would not result in severe impacts, either individually or cumulatively, on the transport network", arguing sustainable transport connections can be established.

The company has also said the site is appropriate for delivering much-needed housing in the area.

A spokesman for Havant Borough Council said: "In respect of the appeal process this commenced at the instigation of the applicant who decided not to continue negotiating with the Council Planning Officers and to lodge an appeal against non-determination."

They added: "Once an appeal against non -determination is lodged in practical terms, this means that the Council no longer has the power of decision making and the appeal process is under the jurisdiction of the Planning Inspectorate.

"In this case due to a time constraint imposed by the Planning Inspectorate, a decision was made by the Council to produce an appeal statement of case where the Council's position was set out and in summary was not to defend the appeal at the forthcoming Inquiry.

"The Rule 6 party process has been invoked by local residents who have employed a planning consultant to represent them at the Inquiry as they don’t agree with the Council’s position in this appeal and seek to challenge the appellant’s evidence at the Inquiry."

The inquiry opens at 10am on Tuesday, June 23, and continues for six days until July 2, with members of the public able to attend in person or watch online.

Fundraising efforts have already surpassed the halfway mark toward the £48,000 target.

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