News: Permission granted for Test Valley Farm development

In a unanimous vote last night, Test Valley Councillors on the Northern Area Planning Committee approved the plans for building five homes at Test Valley Farm in Chilbolton.

Attended by more than twenty residents from Chilbolton, the Planning Committee heard arguments from both sides.

Parish Councillor Sue Larcombe pointed out that all previous applications for Test Valley Farm had been rejected. The Neighbourhood Development Plan called for smaller houses than these plans proposed. This project would, she said, only deliver a profit for the landowner.

Mrs Carole Eaton, a long-standing resident, said there had been 28 pages of reasons for refusing the previous seven-home proposal and that these reasons were unchanged. They were “the wrong homes in the wrong place”. She was applauded as she finished her speech.

Mr Chris Rees, who had made the application for the development, said it was “acceptable in principle” and that it was “in character with the surrounding area”. Controversially, he claimed that he had written to neighbouring residents but received no response. This was met with angry cries of “rubbish”.

Finally, Cllr Dr Alan Warnes of North Baddesley ward spoke against the proposal. He had agreed to speak because Chilbolton’s own TVBC Councillor, David Drew, had recused himself because he knew the landowner. Cllr Warnes said “Chilbolton residents are not NIMBYs”, and described the development as being “more appropriate to an urban setting”. He echoed Mrs Eaton, saying “this is just a development in the wrong place”.

Three TVBC Councillors spoke, all recommending that permission be given. One, Cllr Kirsty North said that she appreciated the strength of feeling, but if they refused the application, any appeal would be won and that TVBC would have to pay the costs.

With few further options facing Chilbolton Parish Council, it seems that the curtain has now dropped on one of their longest-running planning disputes.