Test Valley Group Report 2006

Test Valley District Group

by John Cooper

Planning Activities

The adoption of the Local Plan in June 2006 was the outcome of a major consultation exercise that culminated in a public inquiry. We had been much encouraged by the Inspector's report following that Inquiry which had endorsed our position on two important issues, that the Major Development Area (MDA) should be contained on one site and that more effort should be made to regenerate derelict employment land. However both of these were summarily rejected by the Borough Council.

The Plan can be viewed on the Council's website. Despite our disappointment on these issues there are many positive policies that accord with CPRE thinking. We will be drawing on these as we respond to new planning applications.

The two sites for the Major Development Area to the North of Andover are now proceeding through the outline planning stage. Our concerns will increasingly focus on design, layout and the mix of market and affordable housing.

One huge and unwelcome development has now emerged; an enormous warehouse (the size of 5 football pitches) and distribution centre for Tesco on the Andover Business Park, i.e. the old Andover airfield. A planning application has yet to appear but the sheer scale and size of the likely building and the immense volume of associated traffic movements appear at odds with the conditions laid down for the site in the Local Plan.

Of major concern is the potential impact on the south of Test Valley of the SE Plan and its associated South Hants Sub Region. A campaigning Group SHUV - South Hampshire's Unheard Voice - has been campaigning to contain and limit the damaging scale of development proposed. CPRE representatives from the Branch and Region made submissions and presented evidence at the public enquiry whose outcome is now awaited.

Fund-raising

We organised two fund raising events in 2006. Both were very successful but would have benefited from stronger support. Those attending the supper evening at Michelmersh Barns in May had idyllic weather and were captivated by the talk from Ashley Smith of the internationally known Hawk Conservancy Weyhill near Andover. Our annual coach trip took us across the water to the Isle of Wight to visit Osborne House - again the weather was kind to us.

This year our visit on 16th May is to the Frogmore Mausoleum in Windsor Great Park followed by a leisurely walk around Savill Garden. As this is the height of the azalea and rhododendron season this is not to be missed.