News: Pre-app paused: will be re-submitted

In a surprise move, Chilbolton Parish Council (CPC) hijacked their own public meeting to announce that they had “paused” the planning pre-application they had lodged with Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC). It would be resubmitted with “modified” documents that would be publicly available.

Cllr David Hall said that instead of talking about the “50-year Vision” for Chilbolton, the purpose of the meeting was to “understand village feeling” and to answer questions. He said that CPC on the previous day had agreed some changes to what was happening and had prepared a statement. He was joined on the panel by other Strategic Working Group (SWG) members: Alisdair Campbell, Becca Campbell, Cllr Sue Larcombe, Colin Ruffalls, and Maureen Treadwell.

The key points of the statement were:

  • Discussions had been held during the week with TVBC and the Painter Family
  • The planning pre-application which had been submitted on 31 Jan 2025 had been paused
  • A revised version, approved by CPC, would be resubmitted
  • The revised pre-app would cover only the 10+10+5 houses
  • Build completion was anticipated to be 2029
  • SHELAA 389 would be amended from 300 to 150 houses
  • The revised pre-app would be in the public domain and available to villagers

Cllr Hall said that the statement would be available later that day on the Parish Council website and Facebook page.

In response to a question “Did CPC agree to the pre-app?”, Cllr Hall said that “mandate was given by CPC to submit a pre-application for 25 houses and the Vision document. Some things were included which went beyond the mandate. That’s why it has been paused”

When asked “Whose name is on the pre-app?”, Cllr Hall said “It’s James Painter’s people’s name”

Answering a question about how the project was being handled, he said “There are concerns about governance of CPC and the SWG. SWG members have concerns and CPC members have concerns. We will discuss governance at the next Parish Council meeting”

The most frequently raised issues were:

  • Infrastructure - roads, water supply, sewerage and electricity - how can a 25 house development go ahead without improvements
  • How the project can be led by people who have declared interests in its outcome
  • How the need for development has been determined
  • The unsuitability of Drove Road as access to the site
  • How houses in the development could be retained for people associated with Chilbolton, after their original purchase or letting
  • Validity of the 2024 Housing survey with only a 38 percent response

Unlike previous meetings on the proposed development, the atmosphere was calm and polite. Questions were asked and Cllr Hall and the panel answered them as best they could.

The next Parish Council meeting is on Monday 3 Mar 2025 at 6:30pm.