Test Valley Borough Council
Councillors:
43
Wards:
21
Committees:
17
Meetings (2026):
29
Meetings (2025):
92
Meeting
Northern Area Planning Committee - Test Valley
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 12th March 2026
5:30 PM
Thursday, 12th March 2026
5:30 PM
End:
Thursday, 12th March 2026
7:00 PM
Thursday, 12th March 2026
7:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
12 Mar 2026
12 Mar 2026
Location:
Conference Room 1, Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 3AJ
Conference Room 1, Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 3AJ
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Housing and Enivronmental Health Portfolio Holder
Officer
Senior Planning Lawyer
Ginika Ogidi
Expected
Committee Member
Democracy and Governance Portfolio Holder
Agenda
1
Apologies
Minutes
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor C Borg-Neal and L Gregori
2
Public Participation
Minutes
Agenda Item No.
Page No.
Application
Speaker
7
26-64
24/00507/FULLN
Paul Dunning (Smanell Parish Council)
Nick Hughes (Applicant)
8
58 - 74
26/00110/FULLN
Tony Burley (Andover Town Council)
Mike Purnell (Objector)
Ben Olds (Applicant)
Page No.
Application
Speaker
7
26-64
24/00507/FULLN
Paul Dunning (Smanell Parish Council)
Nick Hughes (Applicant)
8
58 - 74
26/00110/FULLN
Tony Burley (Andover Town Council)
Mike Purnell (Objector)
Ben Olds (Applicant)
3
Declarations of Interest
Minutes
Councillor Z Brooks declared a personal interest in application 26/00110/FULLNas they were close friends with a resident listed on certificate B of the application form as an owner/part owner of the application site – Frances Mary Lynn. As a result, the Councillor left the room and abstained from voting.
Councillor Lodge declared a personal interest in application 26/00110/FULLNas they lived near to the potential development. As a result, the Councillor left the room and abstained from voting.
Councillors Neal and Budzynski declared a personal interest in application 26/00110/FULLNas they used to be colleagues with a resident listed on certificate B of the application form as an owner/part owner of the application site – Frances Mary Lynn. However, the Councillor did not believe that it would affect their judgement on the matter, so continued to partake on the matter.
Councillor Lodge declared a personal interest in application 26/00110/FULLNas they lived near to the potential development. As a result, the Councillor left the room and abstained from voting.
Councillors Neal and Budzynski declared a personal interest in application 26/00110/FULLNas they used to be colleagues with a resident listed on certificate B of the application form as an owner/part owner of the application site – Frances Mary Lynn. However, the Councillor did not believe that it would affect their judgement on the matter, so continued to partake on the matter.
4
Urgent Items
Minutes
There were no urgent items.
5
Minutes of the previous meeting
To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 2026
Attachments:
- Document NAPC Minutes 19 February 04 Mar 2026
Minutes
Councillor Brooks proposed to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as a true and accurate record. This was seconded by Councillor Neal. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was carried.
RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as a true and correct record.
RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as a true and correct record.
7
24/00507/FULLN - 11.03.2024
RECOMMENDATION: PERMISSION
SITE: Land Adjacent To, The British Oak, Smannell Road, SMANNELL
CASE OFFICER: Emma Jones
SITE: Land Adjacent To, The British Oak, Smannell Road, SMANNELL
CASE OFFICER: Emma Jones
Attachments:
- Document 24_00507_FULLN NAPC Report 1 04 Mar 2026
- Document 24_00507_FULLN NAPC Plan 1 04 Mar 2026
- Document 24_00507_FULLN NAPC Plan 2 04 Mar 2026
- Document 24_00507_FULLN NAPC Plan 3 04 Mar 2026
- Document 24_00507_FULLN NAPC Plan 4 04 Mar 2026
- Document 24_00507_FULLN NAPC Plan 5 04 Mar 2026
- Document 24_00507_FULLN NAPC Plan 6 04 Mar 2026
- Document 24_00507_FULLN NAPC Plan 7 04 Mar 2026
- Document 24_00507_FULLN NAPC Plan 8 04 Mar 2026
- Document 24_00507_FULLN NAPC Plan 9 04 Mar 2026
- Document 24_00507_FULLN NAPC Plan 10 04 Mar 2026
- Document 24_00507_FULLN NAPC Plan 11 04 Mar 2026
- Document 24_00507_FULLN NAPC Plan 12 04 Mar 2026
- Document 24_00507_FULLN NAPC Plan 13 04 Mar 2026
- Document 24_00507_FULLN NAPC Plan 14 04 Mar 2026
Minutes
APPLICATION NO.
24/00507/FULLN
APPLICATION TYPE
FULL APPLICATION - NORTH
REGISTERED
11.03.2024
APPLICANT
Nick Hughes
SITE
Land Adjacent To, The British Oak, Smannell Road, SMANNELL
PROPOSAL
Erection of 8 dwellings with associated access and parking
AMENDMENTS
Amended/additional plans and information received:
· 19.03.2024 – additional vehicles tracking plans, and plans of proposed sheds;
· 01.10.2025 – amended/additional drainage, tree and ecology information, and amended elevation/site/floor/vehicle tracking plans;
· 06.01.2026 – amended nutrient neutrality information;
· 28.01.2026 – additional nutrient neutrality information;
· 09.02.2026 – additional ecology information;
· 24.02.2026 – updated elevation plans.
CASE OFFICER
Emma Jones
The motion as set out in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Budzynski and seconded by Councillor Z Brooks. Upon being put to the vote the motion fell.
A motion for refusal was proposed by CouncillorK North and seconded by Councillor P Lashbrook. Upon being put to the vote the motion was carried.
RESOLVED:
REFUSED for the below reasons:
The proposal, by virtue of it’s style and layout based around a rather unconvincing ‘farmstead/courtyard’ arrangement around a cul-de-sac, represents an inappropriate, wholly unsympathetic and cramped design solution when contrasting against the established character and appearance of the immediate area, when viewed from public vantage points. The character and appearance of the area is principally defined by low density and is linear/frontage development relative to the roads. The proposal is at significant contrast to the existing leading to adverse harm to the rural character of this part of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape. Whilst recognising the economic benefits of construction jobs being created by the development, and the substantial social benefits of delivering against a shortfall of affordable housing identified in a Housing Needs Survey, these benefits are significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the adverse effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the statutorily designated National Landscape.
The proposal significantly detracts from, and does not conserve, the special scenic beauty of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape in this location and the proposal is contrary to Policy E2(e) of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) and paragraph 189 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
The proposal is inappropriately located in the settlement of Smannell. The settlement does not have sufficient services and amenities including shops, footpaths, lighting and a regular bus service, to support the needs of future residents and it would not be in their best interests to be located there. Residents in need of affordable housing would be reliant on accessing services via the private car and this leads to a conclusion that the site within the parish of Smannell is unsustainable and therefore represents inappropriate development in the countryside contrary to Policies COM2 and COM8 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016)
The proposed development by means of its nature, location and scale could have likely significant effects upon the nearby Solent and Southampton Water European Designated Site which is designated for its conservation importance. In the absence of securing nitrate mitigation, the applicant has failed to satisfy the Council that the proposal would not adversely affect the special interest of the Solent and Southampton Water European Designated Site, therefore the application is contrary to Policies COM2 and E5 of the adopted Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended).
In the absence of a legal agreement to secure the provision of affordable housing, the proposed development will not provide for the needs of the existing and future population of Smannell parish or of the surrounding parishes, as had been intended, thereby exacerbating a current, quantifiable, shortfall in the supply of such housing. The proposal is contrary to policy COM8 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) and the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (2020).
24/00507/FULLN
APPLICATION TYPE
FULL APPLICATION - NORTH
REGISTERED
11.03.2024
APPLICANT
Nick Hughes
SITE
Land Adjacent To, The British Oak, Smannell Road, SMANNELL
PROPOSAL
Erection of 8 dwellings with associated access and parking
AMENDMENTS
Amended/additional plans and information received:
· 19.03.2024 – additional vehicles tracking plans, and plans of proposed sheds;
· 01.10.2025 – amended/additional drainage, tree and ecology information, and amended elevation/site/floor/vehicle tracking plans;
· 06.01.2026 – amended nutrient neutrality information;
· 28.01.2026 – additional nutrient neutrality information;
· 09.02.2026 – additional ecology information;
· 24.02.2026 – updated elevation plans.
CASE OFFICER
Emma Jones
The motion as set out in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Budzynski and seconded by Councillor Z Brooks. Upon being put to the vote the motion fell.
A motion for refusal was proposed by CouncillorK North and seconded by Councillor P Lashbrook. Upon being put to the vote the motion was carried.
RESOLVED:
REFUSED for the below reasons:
The proposal, by virtue of it’s style and layout based around a rather unconvincing ‘farmstead/courtyard’ arrangement around a cul-de-sac, represents an inappropriate, wholly unsympathetic and cramped design solution when contrasting against the established character and appearance of the immediate area, when viewed from public vantage points. The character and appearance of the area is principally defined by low density and is linear/frontage development relative to the roads. The proposal is at significant contrast to the existing leading to adverse harm to the rural character of this part of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape. Whilst recognising the economic benefits of construction jobs being created by the development, and the substantial social benefits of delivering against a shortfall of affordable housing identified in a Housing Needs Survey, these benefits are significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the adverse effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the statutorily designated National Landscape.
The proposal significantly detracts from, and does not conserve, the special scenic beauty of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape in this location and the proposal is contrary to Policy E2(e) of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) and paragraph 189 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
The proposal is inappropriately located in the settlement of Smannell. The settlement does not have sufficient services and amenities including shops, footpaths, lighting and a regular bus service, to support the needs of future residents and it would not be in their best interests to be located there. Residents in need of affordable housing would be reliant on accessing services via the private car and this leads to a conclusion that the site within the parish of Smannell is unsustainable and therefore represents inappropriate development in the countryside contrary to Policies COM2 and COM8 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016)
The proposed development by means of its nature, location and scale could have likely significant effects upon the nearby Solent and Southampton Water European Designated Site which is designated for its conservation importance. In the absence of securing nitrate mitigation, the applicant has failed to satisfy the Council that the proposal would not adversely affect the special interest of the Solent and Southampton Water European Designated Site, therefore the application is contrary to Policies COM2 and E5 of the adopted Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended).
In the absence of a legal agreement to secure the provision of affordable housing, the proposed development will not provide for the needs of the existing and future population of Smannell parish or of the surrounding parishes, as had been intended, thereby exacerbating a current, quantifiable, shortfall in the supply of such housing. The proposal is contrary to policy COM8 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) and the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (2020).
8
26/00110/FULLN - 20.01.2026
RECOMMENDATION: PERMISSION
SITE: Land adjacent to 11 Ox Drove, Picket Piece, Andover, SP11 6ND, ANDOVER TOWN (DOWNLANDS)
CASE OFFICER: Gillian Wheeler
SITE: Land adjacent to 11 Ox Drove, Picket Piece, Andover, SP11 6ND, ANDOVER TOWN (DOWNLANDS)
CASE OFFICER: Gillian Wheeler
Attachments:
- Document 26_00110_FULLN NAPC Report 2 04 Mar 2026
- Document 26_00110_FULLN NAPC Plan 1 04 Mar 2026
- Document 26_00110_FULLN NAPC Plan 2 04 Mar 2026
- Document 26_00110_FULLN NAPC Plan 3 04 Mar 2026
- Document 26_00110_FULLN NAPC Plan 4 04 Mar 2026
- Document 26_00110_FULLN NAPC Plan 5 04 Mar 2026
- Document 26_00110_FULLN NAPC Plan 6 04 Mar 2026
- Document 26_00110_FULLN NAPC Plan 7 04 Mar 2026
- Document 26_00110_FULLN NAPC Plan 8 04 Mar 2026
- Document 26_00110_FULLN NAPC Plan 9 04 Mar 2026
Minutes
APPLICATION NO.
26/00110/FULLN
APPLICATION TYPE
FULL APPLICATION - NORTH
REGISTERED
20.01.2026
APPLICANT
Mr Ben Olds
SITE
Land adjacent to 11 Ox Drove, Picket Piece, Andover, SP11 6ND, ANDOVER TOWN (DOWNLANDS)
PROPOSAL
Erection of 3 residential dwellings with associated access, parking, landscaping, infrastructure and works
AMENDMENTS
Additional clarification regarding Biodiversity Net Gain was received on 11.02.26.
CASE OFFICER
Gillian Wheeler
The motion as set out in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Budzynskiand seconded by Councillor Gillies. Upon being put to the vote the motion was carried.
RESOLVED:
Delegate to the Director of Planning and Development subject to:
Securing nutrient neutrality, and
a satisfactory consultation response from Natural England in relation to a Habitats Regulation Assessment;
Then PERMISSION subject to:
1.
The development hereby permitted shall be begun within three years from the date of this permission.
Reason: To comply with the provision of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.
2.
The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the details shown on the submitted plans drawn by Vivid Design Studio, received 20.01.26:
‘Proposed Site Plan’, drawing number 22 ‘Proposed Ground Floor Site Plan’, drawing number 27 ‘Block Plan’, drawing number 21 ‘Site Location Plan’, drawing number 20 ‘Proposed Floor Plans & Elevations (Garages), drawing number 26 ‘Proposed Floor Plans & Elevations (P1)’, drawing number 23 ‘Proposed Floor Plans & Elevations (P2)’, drawing number 24 ‘Proposed Floor Plans & Elevations (P3)’, drawing number 25 ‘Proposed Street Scenes’, drawing number 28
Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.
3.
The development shall not be brought into use until all areas indicated to be used for vehicles and pedestrians on the approved plan(s) have been laid out with a hardened, sealed and drained surface. Provision shall be made to direct run-off water from the hard surface to a permeable or porous area or surface within the curtilage of the development. Details shall first be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be undertaken in accordance with the approved details and retained and maintained as such at all times.
Reason: in the interests of the highway safety in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy T1.
4.
The development shall not be brought into the use until vehicular visibility splays as detailed on the approved plan(s) have been provided. Within these visibility splays, there shall be no obstruction to visibility exceeding 600mm in height above the adjacent carriageway channel line. The vehicular visibility splays shall thereafter be retained for the lifetime of the development.
Reason: to provide and maintain adequate visibility in the interests of highway safety in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy T1.
5.
No development shall take place, (including any works of demolition), until a Construction Method Statement has been submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority. The approved statement shall include scaled drawings illustrating the provision for:
The parking of site operatives and visitors’ vehicles. Loading and unloading of plant and materials. Management of construction traffic and access routes. Storage of plant and materials used in constructing the development. Vehicle Tracking demonstrating that the largest vehicles associated with the construction process can access, egress and turn within the confines of the site.
The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.
Reason: in the interests of highway safety in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy T1.
6.
The development shall not be brought into occupation until the bin collection point on the Proposed Site Plan, drawing number 240017 22 has been constructed. The bin collection point shall thereafter be retained for the lifetime of the development.
Reason: To enable waste and recycling vehicles to service the site with detriment to highway safety, in the interests of highway safety in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy T1.
7.
The development shall not be occupied until space has been laid out and provided for the parking and manoeuvring of vehicles to enable them to enter and leave the site in a forward gear in accordance with the approved plan and this space shall thereafter be reserved for such purposes at all times.
Reason: In the interests of highway safety in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy T1.
8.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (or any order amending, revoking or re-enacting that Order), the garage(s) hereby approved shall at all times be available for the parking of vehicles.
Reason: In order to maintain the approved on site parking provision and to reduce highway congestion in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy T1.
9.
No development shall take place (other than any approved demolition and site clearance works) until an assessment of the nature and extent of any contamination and a scheme for remediating the contamination has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The assessment must be undertaken by a competent person, and shall assess the presence of any contamination on the site, whether or not it originates on the site. The assessment shall comprise a site investigation and risk assessment, as identified in the submittedGround Condition Desk Top Study report (ref: J24-086-R01, dated November 2025) by GCC. In the event that contamination is found, or is considered likely, the scheme shall contain remediation proposals designed to bring the site to a condition suitable for the intended use. Such remediation proposals shall include clear remediation objectives and criteria, an appraisal of the remediation options, and the arrangements for the supervision of remediation works by a competent person. The site shall not be brought in to use until a verification report, for the purpose of certifying adherence to the approved remediation scheme, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.
Reason: To ensure a safe living/working environment in accordance with Test Valley Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy E8.
10.
The development hereby permitted shall be undertaken in full accordance with the provisions set out within the Eco Urban Arboricultural Implications Assessment and the Method Statement Ref: 251671- AIA3 Dated: 25 December 2025.
Reason: To ensure the enhancement of the development by the retention of existing trees and natural features during the construction phase in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy E2.
11.
The proposed access driveway as shown within the Eco Urban Arboricultural Implications Assessment and Method Statement Ref: 251671- AIA3 Dated 25 December 2025, shall be constructed to a non-dig specification above existing ground levels, the details and method of which must be submitted and approved by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of its construction. The construction of the driveway shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and thereafter retained.
Reason: In order to protect trees on site which are to be retained in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan Policy E2.
12.
No development shall take place above DPC level of the development hereby permitted until full planting details for the proposed new trees have been submitted to and approved in writing including location, species, pit and staking details, period when the tree planting shall be undertaken, projections of future growth and soil volume details. Development shall be undertaken in accordance with the approved details.
Reason: To improve the appearance of the site and enhance the character of development in the interest of visual amenity and to contribute to the character of the local area in accordance with Policy E1 and E2 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016.
13.
No development shall take place above DPC level of the development hereby permitted until full details of hard and soft landscape works have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Details shall include:
Proposed finish levels or contours; Means of enclosure; Car parking layouts; Other vehicle and pedestrian access and circulation areas; Hard surfacing materials; Minor artefacts and structures (e.g., refuse or other storage units, lighting, etc); Proposed and existing functional services above and below ground (e.g. drainage, power, communications cables, pipelines etc. indicating lines, manholes, supports); Planting plans; Written specifications (including cultivation and other operations associated with plant and grass establishment); Schedules of plants, noting species, plant sizes and proposed numbers/densities; Programme of implementation.
The landscape works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and the implementation programme.
Reason: to enable the development to respect, complement and positively integrate into the character of the area in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policies E1 and E2.
14.
The development shall be undertaken in full accordance with Section 5.0 ‘Requirements and Recommendations’ of the Ecological Assessment (Peach Ecology, December 2025).
Reason: To protect and enhance biodiversity in accordance with Policy E5 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016 and the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (as amended).
15.
The development hereby approved shall be designed and built to meet Regulation 36 2 (b) requirement of 110 litres/person/day water efficiency set out in part G2 of Building Regulations 2015.
Reason: In the interests of improving water usage efficiency in accordance with Policy E7 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016.
16.
The dwellings hereby permitted shall not be occupied until the package treatment plant has been installed and brought into use to service the dwellings. The package treatment plant shall be retained and maintained thereafter in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure that it continues to remove nitrates at the expected rate.
Reason: In order to avoid adverse impacts on the Solent and Southampton Water SPA by way of additional nitrates emanating from the development in accordance with the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and Policies E5 and E8 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016.
17.
The first-floor window in the south-west side elevation of plot 1 shall be fitted with obscured glazing and shall be non-opening, and thereafter retained.
Reason: To protect the amenity and privacy of the adjoining occupiers in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy LHW4.
Notes to applicant:
1.
In reaching this decision Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) has had regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and takes a positive and proactive approach to development proposals focused on solutions. TVBC work with applicants and their agents in a positive and proactive manner offering a pre-application advice service and updating applicants/agents of issues that may arise in dealing with the application and where possible suggesting solutions.
2.
The depot adjacent to the subject to the east is existing, future residents and owners should be aware that these uses are occurring and there could be noises associated with the storage of vehicles and light industrial at this site.
3.
The effect of paragraph 13 of Schedule 7A to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 is that planning permission granted for the development of land in England is deemed to have been granted subject to the condition “(the Biodiversity Gain condition”) that development may not begin unless:
a) a Biodiversity Gain Plan has been submitted to Local Planning Authority, and
b) the Local Planning Authority has approved the plan.
The Local Planning Authority, for the purposes of determining whether to approve a Biodiversity Gain Plan if one is required in respect of this permission, would be Test Valley Borough Council. There are statutory exemptions and transitional arrangements which mean that the Biodiversity Gain condition does not always apply. However, based on the information available, this permission is one which will need to demonstrate Biodiversity Net Gain prior to the commencement of development because none of the statutory exemptions and transitional arrangements are considered to apply.
In this instance as a portion of the Biodiversity Net Gain is being provided for onsite, any off-site credits needed will need to be purchased and evidence provided to the LPA prior to the commencement of development.
4.
Bats and their roosts receive strict legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. All work must stop immediately if bats, or evidence of bat presence (e.g. droppings, bat carcasses or insect remains), are encountered at any point during this development. Should this occur, further advice should be sought from Natural England and/or a professional ecologist.
5.
Birds’ nests, when occupied or being built, receive legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). It is highly advisable to undertake clearance of potential bird nesting habitat (such as hedges, scrub, trees, suitable outbuildings etc.) outside the bird nesting season, which is generally seen as extending from March to the end of August, although may extend longer depending on local conditions. If there is absolutely no alternative to doing the work during this period then a thorough, careful and quiet examination of the affected area must be carried out before clearance starts. If occupied nests are present then work must stop in that area, a suitable (approximately 5m) stand-off maintained, and clearance can only recommence once the nest becomes unoccupied of its own accord.
6.
Hedgehogs are legally protected under Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Wild Mammals Protection Act (1996). Hedgehogs are also a Section 41 Principal Species of Conservation Importance under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006) for which a local authorities Biodiversity Duty applies. Caution should be taken when clearing the site in case nesting hedgehogs are present. Where possible leave areas of deadwood, bases of hedgerows, piles of leaves and long grass undisturbed. Areas to be cleared, particularly when using machinery, should be checked prior to works for mammals and other species. If a hedgehog is found during development and/or there are welfare concerns, The British Hedgehog Preservation Society can be contacted for advice and guidance on 01584 890 801 and there are likely to be other wildlife rescue centres/ hospitals in proximity to the site (it is advisable to identify these before work commences). The building site should be made safe for ground-dwelling animals with hazards such as open holes, pits, ditches, ponds and drains covered over or fitted with ramps to allow for escape. Netting should be avoided, but if used kept off the ground to avoid entanglement and any slack netting tied up. Rubbish should be kept contained in a designated area to avoid animals becoming trapped in litter. Install any new fences with a 15cm tall gap along the base.
26/00110/FULLN
APPLICATION TYPE
FULL APPLICATION - NORTH
REGISTERED
20.01.2026
APPLICANT
Mr Ben Olds
SITE
Land adjacent to 11 Ox Drove, Picket Piece, Andover, SP11 6ND, ANDOVER TOWN (DOWNLANDS)
PROPOSAL
Erection of 3 residential dwellings with associated access, parking, landscaping, infrastructure and works
AMENDMENTS
Additional clarification regarding Biodiversity Net Gain was received on 11.02.26.
CASE OFFICER
Gillian Wheeler
The motion as set out in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Budzynskiand seconded by Councillor Gillies. Upon being put to the vote the motion was carried.
RESOLVED:
Delegate to the Director of Planning and Development subject to:
Securing nutrient neutrality, and
a satisfactory consultation response from Natural England in relation to a Habitats Regulation Assessment;
Then PERMISSION subject to:
1.
The development hereby permitted shall be begun within three years from the date of this permission.
Reason: To comply with the provision of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.
2.
The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the details shown on the submitted plans drawn by Vivid Design Studio, received 20.01.26:
‘Proposed Site Plan’, drawing number 22 ‘Proposed Ground Floor Site Plan’, drawing number 27 ‘Block Plan’, drawing number 21 ‘Site Location Plan’, drawing number 20 ‘Proposed Floor Plans & Elevations (Garages), drawing number 26 ‘Proposed Floor Plans & Elevations (P1)’, drawing number 23 ‘Proposed Floor Plans & Elevations (P2)’, drawing number 24 ‘Proposed Floor Plans & Elevations (P3)’, drawing number 25 ‘Proposed Street Scenes’, drawing number 28
Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.
3.
The development shall not be brought into use until all areas indicated to be used for vehicles and pedestrians on the approved plan(s) have been laid out with a hardened, sealed and drained surface. Provision shall be made to direct run-off water from the hard surface to a permeable or porous area or surface within the curtilage of the development. Details shall first be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be undertaken in accordance with the approved details and retained and maintained as such at all times.
Reason: in the interests of the highway safety in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy T1.
4.
The development shall not be brought into the use until vehicular visibility splays as detailed on the approved plan(s) have been provided. Within these visibility splays, there shall be no obstruction to visibility exceeding 600mm in height above the adjacent carriageway channel line. The vehicular visibility splays shall thereafter be retained for the lifetime of the development.
Reason: to provide and maintain adequate visibility in the interests of highway safety in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy T1.
5.
No development shall take place, (including any works of demolition), until a Construction Method Statement has been submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority. The approved statement shall include scaled drawings illustrating the provision for:
The parking of site operatives and visitors’ vehicles. Loading and unloading of plant and materials. Management of construction traffic and access routes. Storage of plant and materials used in constructing the development. Vehicle Tracking demonstrating that the largest vehicles associated with the construction process can access, egress and turn within the confines of the site.
The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.
Reason: in the interests of highway safety in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy T1.
6.
The development shall not be brought into occupation until the bin collection point on the Proposed Site Plan, drawing number 240017 22 has been constructed. The bin collection point shall thereafter be retained for the lifetime of the development.
Reason: To enable waste and recycling vehicles to service the site with detriment to highway safety, in the interests of highway safety in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy T1.
7.
The development shall not be occupied until space has been laid out and provided for the parking and manoeuvring of vehicles to enable them to enter and leave the site in a forward gear in accordance with the approved plan and this space shall thereafter be reserved for such purposes at all times.
Reason: In the interests of highway safety in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy T1.
8.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (or any order amending, revoking or re-enacting that Order), the garage(s) hereby approved shall at all times be available for the parking of vehicles.
Reason: In order to maintain the approved on site parking provision and to reduce highway congestion in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy T1.
9.
No development shall take place (other than any approved demolition and site clearance works) until an assessment of the nature and extent of any contamination and a scheme for remediating the contamination has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The assessment must be undertaken by a competent person, and shall assess the presence of any contamination on the site, whether or not it originates on the site. The assessment shall comprise a site investigation and risk assessment, as identified in the submittedGround Condition Desk Top Study report (ref: J24-086-R01, dated November 2025) by GCC. In the event that contamination is found, or is considered likely, the scheme shall contain remediation proposals designed to bring the site to a condition suitable for the intended use. Such remediation proposals shall include clear remediation objectives and criteria, an appraisal of the remediation options, and the arrangements for the supervision of remediation works by a competent person. The site shall not be brought in to use until a verification report, for the purpose of certifying adherence to the approved remediation scheme, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.
Reason: To ensure a safe living/working environment in accordance with Test Valley Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy E8.
10.
The development hereby permitted shall be undertaken in full accordance with the provisions set out within the Eco Urban Arboricultural Implications Assessment and the Method Statement Ref: 251671- AIA3 Dated: 25 December 2025.
Reason: To ensure the enhancement of the development by the retention of existing trees and natural features during the construction phase in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy E2.
11.
The proposed access driveway as shown within the Eco Urban Arboricultural Implications Assessment and Method Statement Ref: 251671- AIA3 Dated 25 December 2025, shall be constructed to a non-dig specification above existing ground levels, the details and method of which must be submitted and approved by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of its construction. The construction of the driveway shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and thereafter retained.
Reason: In order to protect trees on site which are to be retained in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan Policy E2.
12.
No development shall take place above DPC level of the development hereby permitted until full planting details for the proposed new trees have been submitted to and approved in writing including location, species, pit and staking details, period when the tree planting shall be undertaken, projections of future growth and soil volume details. Development shall be undertaken in accordance with the approved details.
Reason: To improve the appearance of the site and enhance the character of development in the interest of visual amenity and to contribute to the character of the local area in accordance with Policy E1 and E2 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016.
13.
No development shall take place above DPC level of the development hereby permitted until full details of hard and soft landscape works have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Details shall include:
Proposed finish levels or contours; Means of enclosure; Car parking layouts; Other vehicle and pedestrian access and circulation areas; Hard surfacing materials; Minor artefacts and structures (e.g., refuse or other storage units, lighting, etc); Proposed and existing functional services above and below ground (e.g. drainage, power, communications cables, pipelines etc. indicating lines, manholes, supports); Planting plans; Written specifications (including cultivation and other operations associated with plant and grass establishment); Schedules of plants, noting species, plant sizes and proposed numbers/densities; Programme of implementation.
The landscape works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and the implementation programme.
Reason: to enable the development to respect, complement and positively integrate into the character of the area in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policies E1 and E2.
14.
The development shall be undertaken in full accordance with Section 5.0 ‘Requirements and Recommendations’ of the Ecological Assessment (Peach Ecology, December 2025).
Reason: To protect and enhance biodiversity in accordance with Policy E5 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016 and the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (as amended).
15.
The development hereby approved shall be designed and built to meet Regulation 36 2 (b) requirement of 110 litres/person/day water efficiency set out in part G2 of Building Regulations 2015.
Reason: In the interests of improving water usage efficiency in accordance with Policy E7 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016.
16.
The dwellings hereby permitted shall not be occupied until the package treatment plant has been installed and brought into use to service the dwellings. The package treatment plant shall be retained and maintained thereafter in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure that it continues to remove nitrates at the expected rate.
Reason: In order to avoid adverse impacts on the Solent and Southampton Water SPA by way of additional nitrates emanating from the development in accordance with the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and Policies E5 and E8 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016.
17.
The first-floor window in the south-west side elevation of plot 1 shall be fitted with obscured glazing and shall be non-opening, and thereafter retained.
Reason: To protect the amenity and privacy of the adjoining occupiers in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy LHW4.
Notes to applicant:
1.
In reaching this decision Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) has had regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and takes a positive and proactive approach to development proposals focused on solutions. TVBC work with applicants and their agents in a positive and proactive manner offering a pre-application advice service and updating applicants/agents of issues that may arise in dealing with the application and where possible suggesting solutions.
2.
The depot adjacent to the subject to the east is existing, future residents and owners should be aware that these uses are occurring and there could be noises associated with the storage of vehicles and light industrial at this site.
3.
The effect of paragraph 13 of Schedule 7A to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 is that planning permission granted for the development of land in England is deemed to have been granted subject to the condition “(the Biodiversity Gain condition”) that development may not begin unless:
a) a Biodiversity Gain Plan has been submitted to Local Planning Authority, and
b) the Local Planning Authority has approved the plan.
The Local Planning Authority, for the purposes of determining whether to approve a Biodiversity Gain Plan if one is required in respect of this permission, would be Test Valley Borough Council. There are statutory exemptions and transitional arrangements which mean that the Biodiversity Gain condition does not always apply. However, based on the information available, this permission is one which will need to demonstrate Biodiversity Net Gain prior to the commencement of development because none of the statutory exemptions and transitional arrangements are considered to apply.
In this instance as a portion of the Biodiversity Net Gain is being provided for onsite, any off-site credits needed will need to be purchased and evidence provided to the LPA prior to the commencement of development.
4.
Bats and their roosts receive strict legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. All work must stop immediately if bats, or evidence of bat presence (e.g. droppings, bat carcasses or insect remains), are encountered at any point during this development. Should this occur, further advice should be sought from Natural England and/or a professional ecologist.
5.
Birds’ nests, when occupied or being built, receive legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). It is highly advisable to undertake clearance of potential bird nesting habitat (such as hedges, scrub, trees, suitable outbuildings etc.) outside the bird nesting season, which is generally seen as extending from March to the end of August, although may extend longer depending on local conditions. If there is absolutely no alternative to doing the work during this period then a thorough, careful and quiet examination of the affected area must be carried out before clearance starts. If occupied nests are present then work must stop in that area, a suitable (approximately 5m) stand-off maintained, and clearance can only recommence once the nest becomes unoccupied of its own accord.
6.
Hedgehogs are legally protected under Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Wild Mammals Protection Act (1996). Hedgehogs are also a Section 41 Principal Species of Conservation Importance under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006) for which a local authorities Biodiversity Duty applies. Caution should be taken when clearing the site in case nesting hedgehogs are present. Where possible leave areas of deadwood, bases of hedgerows, piles of leaves and long grass undisturbed. Areas to be cleared, particularly when using machinery, should be checked prior to works for mammals and other species. If a hedgehog is found during development and/or there are welfare concerns, The British Hedgehog Preservation Society can be contacted for advice and guidance on 01584 890 801 and there are likely to be other wildlife rescue centres/ hospitals in proximity to the site (it is advisable to identify these before work commences). The building site should be made safe for ground-dwelling animals with hazards such as open holes, pits, ditches, ponds and drains covered over or fitted with ramps to allow for escape. Netting should be avoided, but if used kept off the ground to avoid entanglement and any slack netting tied up. Rubbish should be kept contained in a designated area to avoid animals becoming trapped in litter. Install any new fences with a 15cm tall gap along the base.
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