News: Gravel Hill site emerges as a real prospect

At the Community Development Committee last night, Cllr David Hall revealed that the Church Commissioners are actively investigating land at the corner of Gravel Hill and Martins Lane for the development of 10 to 12 affordable homes.

Gravel Hill

The Commissioners have made an exclusive agreement with English Rural, a charity whose patron is HRH the Princess Royal. They describe themselves as “a non-profit organisation working with rural communities to build and manage affordable homes”.

Cllr Hall said they were “highly respected”, and are about to complete a development of affordable homes at Church Fields, Longstock, one of which is currently advertised on Chilbolton Parish Council’s website.

He added that English Rural work in conjunction with Parish Councils and Community Land Trusts. Wendy Farrell, their Development Project Manager had been in contact with CDC saying the charity is “very keen to talk about the Gravel Hill site”.

Along with Cllr Neil Connor and Martin Gossling of Chilbolton Community Land Trust, Cllr Hall had met with Ms Farrell. The English Rural development would comprise exclusively affordable homes. Cllr Hall pointed out that it was unknown, at this stage, whether further development would take place at this site or at adjacent pieces of land.

Beki Winter, who works for the Church Commissioners, had indicated that a significant grant could be available for CCLT, provided by the Church of England. However development on that site would need to be supported by Chilbolton Parochial Church Council.

Cllr Hall warned “the risk is that there is a big plan for the land around it. CCLT recognize that.”

Gravel Hill first emerged as a possible site in 2024, when an agent for the Church Commissioners contacted TVBC planners. The site was included in CDC’s analysis in July 2025.

Site options

CDC are actively investigating three potential developments sites in their analysis: Betts Farm, near the HBS site at Thirt Way, land near Drove Road owned by James Painter, and the Gravel Hill site.

Cllrs Neil Connor and Martin Watson have made a site visit to Betts Farms and have had discussions with the owner.

A letter will be sent by Cllr Hall to James Painter requesting a meeting, which would enable CDC to complete their analysis of the Drove Road site.

The next step is to complete the site analysis matrix and present it to CPC.

On the timeline for completion of the site analysis, Cllr Watson said that it was possible that the Parish Council will have chosen their preferred site before TVBC planners have made their recommendation on the James Painter application.