Friends of Frank's Field - Opposing housing development behind Middle Road

I knew Twinks very well I used to ride her chesnut pony Girly and Misty the big grey Cob. To see this land sold to have properties built on it would be criminal. I spent all my spare time there with Twinks and the horses and had the geese chase me more times than I can remember.. I have only just seen this petition but does anyone please have an update as to what is happening with the land where the horse used be kept please

Hello everyone. I recently approached the agents with a view to buying this house, it seemed a very unique property and I've always enjoyed open space. However after talking to the agents the 'family' have decided to cut the garden off at the second gate and keep 80% of the plot. I was told they plan to resubmit for 3 dwellings, obviously they will keep going until something goes their way. From my point of view the plot left with the property is in fact smaller than the gardens next to it, even worse was the fact they're asking £310,000 for a property they themselves paid £275,000 for with the land. Anyway good luck :)

9 years ago Featured

To build on this land will be ridiculous, that whole strip of area both sides of the road are beautiful to walk down. Will our future generations have no natural green areas to enjoy?? I remember moving to the area 16yrs ago and walking past to watch the sheep grazing and chat about plants.

any news on the building work

We don't want anything built on the breautiful green area at the back of our garden. My young children love being so close to many wildlife and bird species and sit for hours in the window watching. It's very rare to have such a space like this nowadays. To develop it would greatly increase the traffic congestion on an already busy school route, the local schools are already oversubscribed and parking has become an issue in the surrounding roads.

You may be interested in the following: 1) 166 Middle Road has been in the same family for approximately 156 years, during which time it was never a farm. 2) Frank Coles (died Dec 2013) was not a member of the family. 3) George Kneller rented the property from the mid 1800's until his death in July 1923. He operated a haulier, taxi and brake rental business from the address employing several men and keeping carts and horses on the grounds - the carts being in large sheds (now demolished). He was declared bankrupt in Sep 1912. 4) The property was purchased in 1937 by Steven James Roberts, George Kneller's son in law, a local farrier married to Kathleen Hilda Kneller. 5) Steven Roberts died in 1947, and the property then devolved to his wife Kathleen Hilda. 6) Kathleen Hilda died in 1969, and the property was inherited by Kathleen Mary Roberts, daughter of Steven and Kathleen Hilda. 7) The property is now owned by the children of Kathleen Mary - also known as Twinkle or Twink. 8) The field has been used as grazing for horses, a market garden, and an orchard, and a source of cut flowers (sweet peas and dahlias etc) and sold locally. The large glasshouses used have now been demolished. 9) This has never been known as a field - its part of the garden to 166

Evening All We have an update. We have received news that 166 Middle Road has now been sold to a property developer based in Winchester. Please keep an eye out of the planning permission signs which will no doubt follow and spread the word. Thanks Candy

This area is already overbuilt - there is not room for any more.

driving past franks field this afternoon i saw two men in the garden tending a bonfire.Is this the start of the destruction of this lovely piece of green and wild land or hopefully someone has brought this place and will lovingly care for it . I hope so and then we can all enjoy watching the wildlife just as Frank did for so many years.

i often look at this petition but have not seen any recent comments or signatures so i am thinking the opposing of development to the old farmhouse and all the land that belongs to it has come to a standstill.I would like some-one to enlighten us as to what is happening.

CAN ANYONE INFORM US AS TO WHAT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO DO WITH THIS THREATNED LAND?

we are wondering if there are any new propositions for the future of this lovely old house and land.does any one know yet?from all the Kneller family

what a shame yet another threat to tear down a lovely landmark of sholing.so much of it has changed over just 40 years by too many buildings on homes and green land .when will it end

this area is already congested.too much traffic and pollution will only get worse as more and more buildings keep going up evertwhere,not a great outlook for the future generation is it.this house is a lovely old charatistic family home with a garden to match.no-one should be allowed to spoil it.

this old house/barn used to belong to my great grandfather and has a whole generation of history attached to it. sholing archives mentions it in their local books.the last thing I want to see is the house demolished and it should be kept as a historical building because it is a big part of sholing history to say nothing of all the wildlife and trees on the land.LEAVE IT ALONE.

once again the threat of wildlife and trees are in the hands of greedy builders who just want to make a quick buck. how much more of our remaining greenery have we got to lose before we are covered in concrete and more polluted air caused by more traffic. its time builders are told enough is enough and start listening to the people who are concerned about the areas they want to conserve for the wildlife and quality of air we have to live in.

here we go again.more trees and wildlife under threat just line the pockets of greedy builders.how many times are we told to encourage green sites for the remaing wildlife to increase in numbers for the benefit of our environment.how much longer have we got to see the destruction of the natural habitat and live in concrete jungles to say nothing of the air polution caused by all the building.

Today on 'Countryfile' we learn there is a great loss of wild flowers in this countryy which dramatically affects the food chain I believe we need to preserve this site inspite of the great need for housing in our City.

12 years ago Featured

I think it's very important that as Southampton grows as a city it keeps it's green spaces alive. Having a place for nature within our urban settlements is what makes Southampton a place to live in rather than a place in which to exist.

I fully support the residents on Middle Road to protect this beautiful green space. One of the best things about Southampton is its park and wild spaces. We should protect them or generations to come.