Natural England raised concerns about the impact the change at Bassett House, in Bassett Avenue, Southampton, could have on the New Forest’s Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA), and Ramsar Site.
The organisation believes the change could increase visitor numbers, causing recreational disturbance to the New Forest’s protected areas.
The site was originally built in 1932 as a large detached residential home.
In 2004, the property was acquired by the Hampshire Autistic Society (later Autism Hampshire) and transformed into an institutional residential school, providing autism-focused services until 2023.
Following the relocation of its residents to more suitable homes, Bassett House became vacant.
The Avenues Group, which merged with Autism Hampshire, has now proposed reverting the house back to its original residential status and selling it, with the intention of reinvesting the proceeds into alternative properties better suited for providing services for autistic individuals.
Natural England has stated that the planning proposal may lead to increased overnight accommodation within the ‘zone of influence’, which screens for recreational impacts on designated sites like the New Forest SPA.
The objection comes despite the planning authority, Southampton City Council, undertaking an appropriate assessment of the proposal, concluding that it would not adversely affect the integrity of the sites in question.
Natural England, which is a statutory consultee on the appropriate assessment stage of the Habitats Regulations Assessment process, has advised that the authority’s assessment lacks the rigour and robustness to justify this conclusion.
The organisation has urged the council not to grant planning permission at this stage.
Additional assessment has been advised to make the proposal sufficiently rigorous and robust.
The council has been advised to re-consult Natural England once this further work has been undertaken and the appropriate assessment revised.
The Avenues Group is currently awaiting the outcome of the planning application, which they hope will allow them to reinvest the proceeds into providing additional local services.
