PLANS to turn disused watercress beds into a holiday site have met a flood of opposition.

The Grange Estate has applied to redevelop redundant beds, create a wetland habitat and build ten holiday lodges at Fobdown Watercress Beds, Abbotstone Road, near Old Alresford.

The scheme would also see the demolition of redundant buildings, the creation of new tracks, reed bed drainage and landscaping.

It has attracted 48 objections since the proposal was launched in autumn 2019 and a decision was due to have been made at the city council planning committee. But it has been postponed to allow for consideration of recent feedback from the public since the committee papers were published.

The site was operated as a watercress farm by Vitacress until 2016 when it was bought by the Grange Estate. The farm used water from the Candover Brook, a tributary of the Itchen.

Planning officers at the city council supported the scheme with benefits including the removal of a Leylandii conifer hedge and the panting of native broadleaved trees.

Itchen Stoke and Ovington Parish Council support the plan, calling it a "visionary scheme" as it would entail the removal of extensive concrete structures using for the growing of watercress and create extensive wetland of "huge ecological benefit".

The Alresford Society disagreed, saying it would create "unacceptable visual and noise intrusion and alter the character of the area".

Objections include an increase in traffic through Abbotstone Road, the impact on wildlife from the development, noise and light pollution and fears the lodges may be converted to dwellings in the future

A report for the Grange Estate by consultants RM Wetlands and Environment said: "The cessation of commercial watercress cultivation was recognised by local stakeholders, including the Upper Itchen Group, the Environment Agency and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, as representing an opportunity to enhance the ecology of the site and to improve the overall ecological functioning of the Candover valley and the wider SAC.

"The assessment of the various elements indicates that it would be feasible to create and restore wetlands within the site in the location occupied by the former watercress beds. There is sufficient water available to maintain attractive and ecologically functional wetlands which would benefit the visitors as well as enhancing the wider biodiversity value of the valley."

Objector Susan Haynes, of Abbotstone Road, in a submission to the council, said: "I object because of the increase in traffic through Abbotstone Road which is a single track road with some passing places. Ten holiday lodges will generate too much traffic everyday."

Louise and Ed Sankey, of Old Alresford, said: "We feel very strongly that this is going to cause immeasurable damage to the wildlife and to the tranquility of such a small hamlet. There will be a huge increase in traffic both with the construction and the running of a holiday park business. This seems to be purely a commercial venture with no benefit to the local community."

Colin Shaw submitted: "We run an agricultural contracting business from Oxdrove Yard and have noted the increased use of the narrow lane by all types of traffic, including through traffic as a result of the use of satnavs.

"The lane surface is suffering, regularly flooding near the lane leading to The Fulling Mill. and we are particularly concerned that such an increase in traffic generated by so many units would cause further problems. Our primary concern is in relation to safety, with large farm vehicles required for our own and neighbouring farming enterprises. The lane has limited visibility in places and limited facility for passing large machinery throughout the locality."

Lady Vestey, of Old Park Road, Bishop's Sutton, wrote: "I feel this application has been veiled in quite a few eco friendly terms to hide the fact it is actually a commercial venture in an SSSI."

There was some local support. Julian Ashby, of Abbotstone Road, called the scheme "imaginative."