News: Parish Council plans its response to 75-home proposal

Battle lines were drawn yesterday evening as Chilbolton Parish Council prepared a plan for responding to James Painter’s planning application for a 75-home development.

Introduction

Cllr Tony Ewer opened the meeting saying that Cllr Julian Hudson had sent his apologies and that he was “most unwell.”

In his absence, Cllr Ewer took the Chair, however he said that when it came to discussion of the housing development, he would recuse himself and leave the meeting.

He welcomed Cllrs Neil Connor and Martin Watson to CPC and said “I hope you enjoy your time as a Councillor.”

Cllr Connor asked whether any Councillors had had discussions with James Painter. Cllr Tony Ewer said that he had messaged James Painter to ask him to telephone Cllr David Griffiths.

Cllr Griffiths said that Mr Painter had confirmed that there was “no question of access [to the development] via Cart Lane.”

75-home development and meeting with TVBC

When discussion turned to the proposed 75-home development, Cllr Ewer left the meeting. Cllr David Hall was voted as Chair in his absence.

He began by saying that “We had all suspected this.” He added that Simon Finch and Test Valley Borough Council’s planning team had been aware of the application when they met with Community Development Committee members on Monday.

Cllr Hall said “They were professional, but made it clear that there was something in the offing. They gave a good steer on how to take CPC’s scheme of up to 25 homes forward.” They had also emphasised that “Community support is important.”

He added that the meeting with TVBC would be discussed at the CDC meeting on Wednesday.

Cllr Hall said they would discuss the process for drafting comments that would be sent to TVBC. The content of those comments would be dealt with in later meetings.

Overall approach to responding

Fiona Barrie, who has previously been a member of the Planning Committee and helped draw up Chilbolton’s Neighbourhood Development Plan, laid out the wider plan.

She said that it would be a “two-pronged process”. First, to consider the principle of development - is it appropriate, is it sustainable? She said that TVBC planners would be quite robust when considering that.

The second issue would be to work out what the Village would accept. What would work to the advantage of the Village?

She wouldn’t be covering any of the detail of the proposal at this meeting, but she emphasised that it was important that “every individual of the community can and should put in their own comments.”

This was picked up by a resident who reminded the meeting that although households or families might be tempted to respond jointly, that it is better for everyone to submit an individual response.

Duncan Revolta, recently a candidate in the by-election, suggested that James Painter should come and address a meeting. Cllr Hall said he thought that was a good idea.

How the Village will respond

Cllr Hall asked the meeting for volunteers to form a working group which will make a detailed analysis of the application documents and draw up observations: Philip Baker, Alex Gerrish-Ives and Nicola Revolta volunteered. They were joined by Fiona Barrie.

Cllrs Neil Connor and Martin Watson agreed to co-ordinate the work.

Cllr Hall proposed three meetings to help draw up responses to the planning application:

• Saturday 22 Nov 2025 - Advice on drawing up individual responses
• Saturday 29 Nov 2025 - Summary of outputs from the working group
• Saturday 6 Dec 2025 - Final polishing of CPC’s response

The location and time of these meetings will be announced shortly.

Communications

A resident asked “How will you let everyone know about this?” Cllr Hall said that Parish Council’s news portal, chilbolton.news, and the Village Webmaster would all be involved.

It was also suggested that there should be a leaflet drop to every household in the Village alerting residents to the planning application and giving advice on responding to it.

Deadlines

There was discussion of the deadlines for the Parish Council to respond to the planning application. Cllr Sue Larcombe said that TVBC had set a deadline of 4 Dec 2025 for CPC to respond, but that she had applied for an extension of the timescale.

[Note that the deadline for individuals to respond is 12 Dec 2025]

Summary

This was an orderly meeting, listened to by an attentive audience of residents. Nonetheless is was clear that much work remains to be done.

A detailed analysis of the planning proposal will be made. An assessment of what’s good about it, and what’s bad, will be drawn up.

Most importantly, though, Chilbolton residents will be mobilised to give their thoughts to Test Valley Borough Council.