News: Update from TVBC on discussions with Observatory

29 Jun 2026

Simon Finch, Director of Planning and Development at Test Valley Borough Council, has responded to the questions Cllr David Hall, Chair of Chilbolton Parish Council, asked back in the middle of May.

Mr Finch says:

He cannot yet provide a date when a decision on the 75-home plan will be available because TVBC planners are still working with James Painter and his consultants to understand how any concerns about the proposals can be addressed. Planners are required to do this by the Government
The Observatory is not a statutory consultee for the application, as set out in planning regulations. TVBC would though consider any request by the Science and Technology Facilities Council to be made a consultee on any new development around Chilbolton
On the impact of the development on the Observatory, he says “Our view is that the concerns raised by STFC about the impact of the proposed housing on their operations is a material consideration in the determination of the outline application.” He intends to meet with STFC and James Painter, to understand and “assess how much weight this should be given in the decision-making process.”
He clarifies that given the two points above that if STFC wished to speak at the Northern Area Planning Committee, “[STFC] would need to share their time with any other objectors wishing to address the meeting.”
On the timetable for TVBC’s future Local Plan, Mr Finch says “It states that the Regulation 19 Local Plan will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for the Examination in public by the end of September 2026, and for the Examination on the plan to commence by the end of December 2027 but, because of changing circumstances, we are currently reviewing this.”
Cllr Hall had also asked about progress on at least eight complaints made to TVBC’s Monitoring Officer concerning events that led up to the 65-home allocation in the Local Plan shortly followed by the 75-home application. Mr Finch confirmed that planning officers do not become involved in any Code of Conduct Complaint. But he adds “The Monitoring Officer confirms that these complaints will be resolved shortly, it is envisaged before the [75 home] application is ultimately decided on.”

Cllr Hall has today responded to Mr Finch thanking him for his continued efforts and cooperation. He adds that villagers “will share our view that this is a very helpful update, particularly with regard to the complexities of the objections raised by STFC and Chilbolton Observatory.”

He also points out that CPC are themselves speaking with STFC to understand implications for wider development in the Village.

He says that “We will also be urging STFC to formalise their position as a statutory consultee going forward as our residents will have concerns if their time to put their case to NAPC has to accommodate Observatory objections as well.”

On the wider issue of new housing in the Village, Cllr Hall says that despite it being unlikely that TVBC will meet their deadlines for the Local Plan, “while this timetable remains in place it is putting increased urgency behind our own efforts to provide a suitable alternative allocation for Chilbolton.”

On the Code of Conduct Complaints, Cllr Hall says “Responses from the Monitoring Officer prior to the application being determined would be very helpful in reassuring our community about how the original allocation within the Local Plan came about.”