Major Increase in Traffic and Car Dependency

The development would bring around 4,500 extra car trips per day, putting more pressure on already busy roads including M3 Junction 11, Bushfield Roundabout and Badger Farm Road.
Most journeys to the site are expected to be by car (over 70%), showing the scheme is still heavily car-dependent.
The proposed road changes mainly aim to move more traffic through the area, rather than reduce the number of cars.
Public transport and cycling improvements appear limited and uncertain, with no strong new alternatives to driving.

There are no mitigations for to prevent a huge increase in non-resident within Badger Farm.

M3 Junction 11 would be affected to such an extent that National Highways have still not agreed to the plans.
The nearby South Winchester Park & Ride already has very little spare capacity, meaning many additional cars may park elsewhere locally.
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 2025) says transport should be “vision-led”, meaning developments should be designed to reduce reliance on private cars.
- This scheme appears to do the opposite by relying on road expansion and high levels of car travel.
NPPF Paragraph 116 states development should be refused if the traffic impact would be severe.
- Given the large increase in traffic, this test is a key issue.
Local Plan Policy WT3 (Bushfield Camp) requires development to:
- minimise reliance on private cars
- make good use of the Park & Ride
- promote sustainable travel.
- The current proposals appear to fall well short of these aims.
Increased traffic could also raise pollution levels near the River Itchen, which is a protected nature site under the Habitats Regulations 2017.
The transport strategy for Bushfield is based on accommodating more traffic rather than reducing it.

That raises serious questions about whether the development complies with national planning policy, local transport policy, and environmental protections.

Traffic Maps Showing Regular Congestion