Hampshire developer wins planning approval for 60-home scheme

Test Valley Borough Council has approved plans for up to 60 properties on a 4.5-hectare site off Braishfield Road in the village of Braishfield.

The development, proposed by regional housebuilder Bargate, will include 24 affordable homes, or 40 per cent of the total.

Laura Mills, senior planner for Bargate, said: "Following the constructive pre-app engagement with the LPA prior to submitting the outline application for this site, we are pleased it has been unanimously approved by Test Valley’s Planning Committee.

"This positive outcome brings us a step closer to creating a quality, family-orientated development in Braishfield.

"With the village centre opposite, it’s ideally located to help facilitate sustainable growth for this popular rural community."

The land is currently inaccessible to the public and sits close to the village centre, which includes Braishfield Primary School, The Wheatsheaf Inn, and the village social club.

(Image: Bargate Homes)

The scheme will take into account its proximity to the Braishfield Conservation Area and will reflect the Braishfield Village Design Statement in its final plans.

A reserved matters application is now being prepared by Bargate, in partnership with Master Land and Planning and Mosaic Urban Design.

This will cover detailed aspects such as layout, landscaping, and architectural design.

A mix of one- to four-bedroom homes is proposed, with parking generally provided on-plot and a number of the house designs featuring garages. Additional visitor parking is incorporated.

All homes would be built to a high EPC rating and include green technologies as standard, such as solar PV panels, air source heat pumps and EV charging points.

A significant portion of the land will be set aside as open space, with plans for new tree planting, habitat creation, and new play areas.

Nature-friendly features such as bird, bat, and insect boxes will also be included.

Bargate, headquartered in Fair Oak, has delivered 230 homes in the 2025/26 financial year and holds a five-star rating in the 2026 Home Builders Federation Customer Satisfaction Survey.

The company has live planning applications totalling a gross development value of around £460 million.

Bargate is currently working on its 100th development, with other active sites including the Rivercross scheme in Warsash and Heritage Place at North Stoneham Park in Eastleigh.