News: Trees felled at Test Valley Farm
A number of trees were felled this week by contractors working for Alfred Homes, the developers of houses approved in 2025 at Test Valley Farm.
Although the leylandii trees were not subject to tree protection orders, Stop Chilbolton Overdevelopment (SCO) contacted the Test Valley Borough Council Enforcement Officer. They were concerned that, in starting the work, Alfred Homes were breaching conditions that had been attached to the approval of the development plan.
The Enforcement Officer visited the site, and the following day reported that he had asked Alfred Homes to stop removing the trees.
One of the conditions that SCO were most concerned at was that the developer should get agreement for, and build passing places on Little Drove Road before work at the site takes place.
Pictures taken by them shows damage done by contractors’ equipment to verges on the road leading to the site.
Damage to verges (Credit: Stop Chilbolton Overdevelopment)
They also highlighted damage to the corner at the entrance to Little Drove Road, where HGV traffic was “leaving the vulnerable water stop cocks and meter chambers underwater”.
Corner of Little Drove Road (Credit: Stop Chilbolton Overdevelopment)
SCO have now written to TVBC Planning complaining about the incident. They have also outlined what they believe the developer needs to do to comply with the conditions attached to approval for the development:
- Build passing places on Little Drove Road
- Submit a site management plan, including the prevention of mud on roads leading to the site
- Submit an environmental management plan
- Make an assessment of any asbestos at the site with proposals for its removal and disposal
- Agree plans for tree removal and tree protection during development
Chilbolton Parish Councillors David Hall and Debbie Collis have been kept informed of SCO’s complaint.