Green light for major Ampfield development in Test Valley

Test Valley Borough Council has granted full planning permission for the Hillier Brentry Nurseries scheme on Jermyns Lane after a lengthy planning process.

The plans include phased demolition of existing buildings, followed by a new Hillier head office, storage and distribution building, 244 homes, open space, landscaping and supporting infrastructure.

The proposal was most controversial major housing applications around Romsey in recent years, drawing objections from Romsey Town Council, Braishfield Parish Council, local campaigners Romsave and many residents, mainly over countryside loss, traffic and infrastructure.

The then-Mayor of Romsey, Russell Theron, branded it as an example of "speculative development".

The scheme will also include a new Jermyns Lane access, pedestrian and cycle links to Ganger Farm, parking, sustainable drainage and attenuation ponds.

Site location plan. (Image: HGP)

Preparatory work will also involve extracting soft sand from the site.

The permission carries conditions on ecology, landscaping, drainage, construction, noise, tree protection and biodiversity.

Construction will be allowed from 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays, but not on Sundays or public holidays unless the council agrees.

Before key stages can proceed, the developer must submit environmental, biodiversity, landscape, ecological and drainage management plans.

Wildlife protections include limits on vegetation clearance during bird-nesting season, wildlife boxes and hibernacula, and measures stopping mammals becoming trapped in excavations.

Public art must be provided before the final home is occupied.

The homes must meet a water-efficiency standard of 110 litres per person per day, while landscaping and long-term maintenance plans must be approved and put in place across the site.

Developers must protect existing trees and hold a pre-commencement meeting with the council’s tree officer and arboricultural specialists.

A Section 106 agreement signed on August 27 accompanies the permission.

Simon Finch, the council’s director of planning and development, granted the application in the decision notice.

The council said: "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."

The authority added that it works with applicants and agents "in a positive and proactive manner" and suggests solutions when issues arise during planning applications.

The approval clears the way for a major redevelopment combining new homes with Hillier’s future headquarters, storage and distribution operations.

The full application can be viewed on the TVBC planning portal on: 24/02526/FULLS