It seems that major housing developments in Petersfield are a bit like buses: you wait for one, but then two come along at once.

More than 150 homes and apartments could be added to Petersfield’s housing stock as fresh plans for two sites are being reviewed, with some major decisions being made over the coming months as plans to develop sites off The Causeway and Harrier Way are being scrutinised.

Thakeham Homes has returned from the drawing board with a revised scheme for 54 homes off The Causeway.

Half that figure will be affordable housing with extra greenery and more public space planned.

Feedback is also being sought on McCarthy Stone plans for a 97-apartment ‘continuing care community’ off Harrier Way. The firm will be hoping for third time lucky as previous plans for the site and the Frenchman’s Road plot now occupied by Aldi did not wow planners.

And while both plots are earmarked for housing in the Petersfield Neighbourhood Plan, it seems nearby residents will need a lot of convincing that these schemes are best for the sites.

McCarthy & Stone were first to the table as their latest plans for a retirement community off the latter were put forward in late August.

The number of apartments earmarked for the site between Harrier Way and the waterworks access road has been reduced from 101 to 97. The development will contain a mixture of chalet units and bungalow with a residential block at the north end of the site.

The plans have undergone various alterations since the first application last September while the South Downs National Park Authority will have the final say.

Planners have received some letters of support from residents who believe the scheme is much-needed in Petersfield, but numerous concerns have been raised about highway arrangements, access and loss of privacy.

Thakeham Homes withdrew its previous plan for 55 homes off The Causeway in July because of feedback from planning officers. Although their approach and scheme impressed the town council, SDNPA officers called their proposals “bland and too suburban”.

Thakeham didn’t want to get into a planning battle so revised their plans for the 2.14 hectare site south of Larcombe Road.

Their latest bid for a “people-focused community” is for 54 homes with 50 per cent being affordable, albeit mostly in three blocks.

The applicants have also increased amount of space around the central oak tree and have attempted to make the development less car-orientated. Access is still proposed from between 197 and 199 The Causeway while an improved pedestrian link from the north has been put forward.

For more details about the plans type 04472 or 03638, respectively, into the search browser at www.planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk