RESIDENTS are to be asked for their views on major plans to build up to 850 new homes on the edge of Christchurch.

House builder Taylor Wimpey is preparing an outline planning application for the scheme on land north of the town, near Roeshot Hill.

The biggest development the area has seen proposed for decades, what is being called the Christchurch Urban Extension site is sure to raise some eyebrows.

To that end, Taylor Wimpey is unveiling information about the plans at a public exhibition to be held at Somerford Alliance Resource Centre in Southey Road, Christchurch, on Wednesday, September 30, 4-8pm.

Residents, businesses, community groups and others with an interest are invited along to look at the scheme and discuss it with the project team from Taylor Wimpey.

The developer is promising to use feedback to shape the proposals before it finalises its outline planning application, which it intends to submit to Christchurch Borough Council in early 2016.

Chris Irwin, senior strategic project manager for Taylor Wimpey, said: “As a considerate, responsible developer we want to give people the chance to have their say on development plans for their area – and this is why we are inviting the local community to find out more about our proposals for the Christchurch Urban Extension site.

“We are confident that this scheme will provide an attractive development of high-quality homes to meet a range of requirements – including much-needed affordable housing – along with public open space, a community hub with recreation and play facilities, and off-site improvements to the local highways and cycleway network.

“Anyone who comes along to our public exhibition on Wednesday, September 30, will be able to speak to members of our project team to find out more about our proposals and provide their feedback to help us develop and refine the emerging scheme.”

The proposed development site has already been identified for housing under Christchurch Borough Council’s Core Strategy.

Part of the Christchurch Urban Extension area includes the existing Council-owned Roeshot Hill allotments.

Taylor Wimpey said those were excluded from the development proposals, but the proposed scheme would allow and plan for the future integration of the allotments site, if and when it is brought forward for development in the future.

If outline planning permission is granted, further applications will be put forward on a phased basis with detail on the scheme.

Alongside Taylor Wimpey’s development proposals, Hinton Admiral Estate will be presenting plans for the creation of a new area of publicly accessible open space known as a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) to the north of the site on the other side of the railway line.

Those who are unable to attend will be able to access the information displayed at the event online at taylorwimpey.co.uk/roeshot-hill from September 30.