A CONSULTATION over plans to build 700 homes and a school on the outskirts of Hook closes at the end of the month.

Wilbur Developments Ltd is exploring building up to 700 homes, a primary school, an early years nursery, a retail facility and open spaces on a 31.15 hectares piece of land to the north of Newnham Road, between Hook and Newnham.

The developers are working toward submitting an outline planning application to Hart District Council next month and are seeking feedback from the community on the proposal.

A statement on the development’s website reads: “Wilbur Developments consider your views and opinions on what should happen at this site to be important, so please take the time to provide feedback on the emerging proposals.”

Hook Parish councillor John Orchid said: “The planning authority received an environmental impact assessment report a couple of months ago which Hook Parish Council has formally responded to.

“I would be surprised if a planning application was submitted as early as next month but you never known what impetus there is behind these kinds of applications.”

Cllr Orchid also pointed out the developing Hart draft local plan does not highlight the Owen’s Farm site as for development.

The proposal has already received some opposition with the We Love Hart campaign group voicing its opposition.

The group is campaigning across Hart for the area’s target house building allocation to be reduced and is arguing for people to object to the Owens Farm proposal on the basis that if the allocation were reduced, plans such as Owens Farm would not be needed as developing brownfield sites could reach the revised target.

We Love Hart also argues that the development would not meet the required infrastructure needed.

For more information, go to www.owensfarm.co.uk. Comments can be made by emailing info@arplanning.co.uk or by writing to Freepost ARMSTRONG RIGG PLANNING.

The outline plans put forward are also on display at Hook Parish Council’s office, in Ravenscroft, for public viewing between 9am and noon, Monday to Friday.

Comments must be made in the consultation by Monday, 31 July.