New Housing Developments on Hayling Island
Planning, building and the housing debate
New housing development on Hayling Island is one of the most contentious local issues. The tension between the need for new homes and the constraints of building on a low-lying island with a single road access has shaped planning debates for decades and shows no sign of easing.
Havant Borough Council, the local planning authority, determines planning applications on Hayling Island within the framework of its local plan. The local plan sets out where new development is acceptable, how much housing is needed and what infrastructure must accompany it. National policy requires councils to identify sufficient land for housing, and Hayling has been included in calculations of the borough's housing supply.
The constraints on development on Hayling are significant. Much of the island lies within flood zones 2 and 3, meaning there is a medium to high risk of flooding from the sea or from surface water. The Environment Agency is a statutory consultee on planning applications in flood zones, and developers must demonstrate that the flood risk can be managed through design, drainage and defences. Sequential and exception tests apply, requiring developers to show that there are no suitable alternative sites at lower risk.
The single bridge access is a material planning consideration. Every new home on Hayling adds traffic to the A3023 and to the bridge, and the road network is already congested at peak times. The lack of alternative routes means that any disruption to the bridge, whether from an accident, breakdown or maintenance work, isolates the entire island. Residents argue that the road infrastructure cannot support significant additional development, and this argument carries weight in planning decisions.
Water supply, sewerage capacity and drainage are further constraints. The island's sewerage system discharges to a treatment works, and capacity limits have been cited as a reason to restrict development. Surface water drainage on a flat, low-lying island with a high water table presents engineering challenges, and new developments must incorporate sustainable drainage systems.
Despite these constraints, development continues. Small-scale infill, conversions and redevelopment of brownfield sites contribute a steady trickle of new homes. Larger applications, when they come forward, tend to generate strong local opposition and lengthy planning processes. The redevelopment of the former Butlins site at the southern end of the island was one of the most significant planning exercises in recent years.
Residents who oppose new development cite flooding, traffic, the loss of green space, the pressure on schools and GP surgeries, and the erosion of the island's character. Those who support some development argue that new homes are needed for young families, that affordable housing is desperately short on the island and that carefully planned development can be accommodated.