PETERSFIELD residents angry about plans to build around 80 houses on land behind them say a new road is a must.

Controversial plans from Kebbell Homes to build on Penns B field, as it is known, behind houses in Barnfield and Heathfield roads, are being considered by South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA).

But residents say a new access road to the proposed development round playing fields at Penns Place could save lives.

Barnfield Road resident Trevor Nichols said: “Twenty years ago it was expected about 20 large homes were going to be built on the field, and the access would be through Heathfield Road and onto Pulens Lane, which would have been fine.

“Now they want to build around 80 houses, and all the construction traffic and cars from the new homes, will go through Heathfield Road, which is ridiculous, and dangerous.

”The turning into Pulens Lane at the end of Heathfield is virtually blind for those coming from the Sheet direction and the road is getting busier every day.

“Adding more traffic to it from a new estate being built and when it’s built is ludicrous and could be fatal.”

The residents accept Penns B is earmarked for homes, but say an access road from the field, along the edge of Penns Place playing fields behind houses in Claire Gardens, and joining Harrier Way is the answer.

Mr Nichols said: “The traffic would then leave Harrier Way at its junction with Heath Road East.

“This is already fairly busy, but there is enough room there for a roundabout, or traffic lights, or whatever is needed to make the junction safe to use.”

Another suggestion is a land ‘swap’ thatwould see a new road constructed on the playing fields behind Clare Gardens.

Houses would be built on both sides of it, instead of on Penns B, which would be used for playing fields.

Penns B is owned by Petersfield Town Council, and is set aside in the Petersfield Neighbourhood Plan for a mix of market value houses and affordable homes.

The Kebbells application went in on Christmas Eve, before a ‘right to buy,’ agreement between the council and developer expired in early February.

It was then renewed for another year because the planning permission application was with SDNPA.

The house builder has paid the council around £750,000 it’s thought to keep renewing the agreement since it was first signed about 15-years-ago.

A decision on the application isn’t expected until May, residents understand.

Last year a similar application by Kebbells to build on Penns B was refused.