News: TVF developer applies for conditions discharge

Alfred Homes, developer of the five-home Test Valley Farm site, have applied for a discharge of three conditions on their permission. They have submitted supporting documents to support their application.

The conditions they want a discharge for relate to:

  • 5. Construction site management
  • 6. Construction Environment Management Plan and Landscape and Ecology Management Plan
  • 9. Tree Bat Roost Safeguard Plan

Chilbolton Parish Council say they “are preparing a formal response to this application”

On this page:

Construction site management

The document specifies how construction vehicles will reach the site:

From the A303 (eastbound or westbound), construction vehicles will exit at the junction with the B3048 (Stockbridge / Chilbolton). Vehicles will proceed south on the B3048 towards Chilbolton for approximately 2 miles before turning left onto Little Drove Road. Vehicles will continue along Little Drove Road for approximately 0.5 miles, where access to Test Valley Farm will be taken via the existing farm entrance.

They add:

Construction traffic will not route through Chilbolton village or use minor residential lanes. The use of informal rural tracks or private agricultural routes for construction access is prohibited. All drivers will be issued with a route plan and instructed to comply with the approved access route at all times.

The developers state that “No construction vehicles will deviate from this route unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority”

It’s not clear how these conditions can be met. Any access to Little Drove Road from the B3048 necessarily means going through Chilbolton along Village Street, or along the unmade bridleway at the top of Drove Road, via Thirt Way.

One resident said to us “To say what I read was unbelievable is an understatement, [it] just proves they have no knowledge of local roads.”

Other notable points, which are likely to be closely monitored by villagers include:

  • Articulated HGVs will not be permitted unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Highway Authority
  • A vehicle call-off system will be implemented to prevent vehicles waiting or manoeuvring on the public highway
  • Vehicles will be maintained in a clean and roadworthy condition to prevent mud or debris being deposited on the public highway
  • Any mud or debris arising from site operations will be cleared immediately
  • Any complaints relating to construction traffic will be recorded and investigated promptly

The document also includes a map which shows that the site office will be located directly next to the public footpath, which leads to West Down, and opposite residential homes on Station Road.

Site working hours will be from 07:30 to 18:00 on weekdays, and 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturday. There will be no work done on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

Construction environment management plan

This includes a tree protection plan which identifies twelve trees which will need special care during development, because they are potential roosts for bats. There will also be a further climbing or platform survey of these trees.

It also identifies trees scheduled for removal outside the bird nesting season, including a number around the site entrance. Last week contractors removed a line of Leylandii. The developers will eventually replace this with a “species rich” native hedge.

The CEMP is used to discharge two conditions imposed by TVBC - one for tree protection (6) and another for bat roosts (9).

Landscape and ecological management plan

This is an assessment of plants and trees on the development site, and proposes “a management regime to protect and enhance the ecology of the on-site and off-site land.”

The management plan includes:

  • Planting mix for the hedgerow which will replace the felled Leylandii, with the aim of providing a “wildlife corridor” with “nesting and foraging habitats”
  • Planting and establishment of shrubs underneath trees on the site to enhance diversity of flora and provide a “woodland edge”
  • Reduction of grazing pressure, and an increase in biodiversity