Planning
From July 2020 all planning applications for Highclere are now published in our regular newsletter sent to members. Those listed on this page are just a selection. Read this article about the work of our planning committee in our news section.
Major Development Applications
The outline planning application for 26 houses on land at Westridge behind Rutherford Close was been refused at the development committee meeting of 6th October 2021. However, it has now gone to appeal, which was validated on 15th June 2022. There will be an informal hearing this summer. Objections to the original appeal will be forwarded to the inspector, but additional representtion can be made directly to the Inspector via the government's planning appeal portal.
- Details of the appeal including applicants statement of case are at the local authority planning portal.
- Planning Appeal Portal - Appeal Ref: APP/H1705/W/21/3287471
A much larger development is proposed by Bewley Hones for Watermill Bridge - 350 homes at Wash Water, part in Highclere parish and part in East Woodhay. The Society has objected on grounds of flooding, landcape, traffic etc. See the following:
Planning Update
The Society has a small planning subcommittee that reviews planning applications as they are received from Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council (BDBC) and feeds back any comments. Many plans, such as for house extensions, receive no comment. The Society focusses its comments on plans which deviate from the Village Design Statement or are large and out of character with their surroundings. Scroll down to view recent planning applications.
Developing a Neighbourhood Plan - Since summer of 2018 work has started on developing a neighbourhood plan which is a way for villagers to have a stronger influence on how their neighbourhood develops in future. Updates on progress will be found in our news section.
Steady Flow of Applications - New applications continue at a rate of between 40-50 a year. While most are for home extensions and improvements, there has been a recent increase in applications for new housing, including three in June 2022. Some are natural infill while others have more incongruous and have been objected to by the Society.
Local Plan Update - The current local plan was formally adopted on 26th May 2016. It is now undegoing an update, that will probably mean that the Borough has to increase the rate of house building and that Highclere, instead of being considered 'countryside' will has a Settlement Policy Boundary.
Overview of Planning Activities
As well as regularly reviewing new planning applications the sub-committee responds to relevant consultations. Some key activities in which the Society will or has participated include:
- Responding to consultations on planning policy, e.g. the local plan update, also occasionally on national planning initiatives.
- Continually monitoring new planning applications and objecting as necessary
- Communicating with members on our stance to significant applications
- Highclere Castle Enabling Development - there was a proposal in 2009 to permit development on the Estate which would otherwise not be permitted, with the aim of releasing funds to conserve buildings and the estate as a whole. See our Highclere Castle Enabling Development page The success of 'Downton Abbey' seems to have obviated the need for this.
- In 2002 we developed the first Village Design Statement in Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council area. It is still used for guidance in planning - scroll down for an overview.
Planning Applications
The following are a selection of current and recently decided planning applications that may be of interest to Society members. The date shown is either that of initial registration validation or that of the decision. 'Pending' means that the consultation period is over and that the planning officer and/or committee are in the process of making a decision. Extracts in quotation marks are taken directly from planning officers' reports. Inclusion in this list does not necessarily mean that the Society submitted comments on it.
To view all current planning applications for our parish, go to the council's planning portal.
Please note: Due to changes at the Council's website in 2017, earlier links below no longer work. However, the plan numbers have not changed, so use them when logging into the planning portal.
| Location | Status | Description (current application or decision) | App. No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leacroft Mount Road |
Consultation 21/06/2022 |
Conversion of existing single storey annex to a 3-bedroom 2 storey house. | 22/01728/FUL |
| Pink House Penwood Drove |
Consultation 22/06/2022 |
Erection of 4-bedroom house. | 22/01695/FUL |
| Hillside Andover Road |
Consultation 16/06/2022 |
Erection of 3-bedroom house. | 22/01690/FUL |
| Leeham Pantings Lane |
Consultation 03/05/2022 |
Comprehensive renovations including first floor extension and internal alterations. | 22/01270/HSE |
| Griffons Court Mount Close |
Consultation 07/01/2022 |
Application for Technical Details Consent for two dwellings following approval of 20/01218/PIP. | 22/00040/TDC |
| Watermill Bridge Wash Water |
Consultation 01/11/2021 |
Hybrid application for up to 350 dwellings and full application for the first phase of 90 dwellings. Outline includes community building, health centrecommunity green space etc. | 21/03499/OUT |
| Clearmeadows Church Lane |
Granted 15/12/2021 |
Conversion of a barn to create single detached dwelling with associated drainage system and landscaping. | 21/02455/FUL |
| Penwood Lodge Foxs Lane |
Withdrawn 28/06/2021 |
Erection of new self build dwelling following reconfiguration of host dwelling to provide access. | 21/01516/FUL |
| Keels Barn Pantings Lane |
Granted 14/01/2022 |
Significant alterations to increase first floor accommodation; replacement garage, garden store, home office; new barn. | 21/02737/HSE |
| Glencross Mount Road |
Granted 06/10/2021 |
Erection of side extension to existing house. There is already an approval for an extension at the back. This proposal is larger and more prominent. Granted at committee. | 21/01296/FUL |
| Pitt House Mount Road |
Granted 11/03/2022 |
Erection of detached and car port in garden of existing house with new access from the Andover Road. | 21/01283/FUL |
| Grantham/Crawley House Andover Road |
Refused 14/07/2021 |
Application for certificate of lawfulness for close board fencing along west boundary of properties, inside boundary line on the A343 highway. This follows two retrospective applications which were refused by the Development Control Committee. Enforcement action. | 21/01280/LDEO |
| Mount Meadow Pantings Lane |
Granted 11/03/2022 |
Erection of a new three bedroom house with double garage to replace existing unused barn. | 21/01210/FUL |
| Hylands Mount Road |
Granted 20/05/2021 |
A revised application to 20/02042/HSE (see bleow) which was refused. This one is more modest in scale and converts loft into living accommodation with dormer windows in the roof. | 21/00575/HSE |
| Hawkley Cottage Highclere Street |
Granted 29/03/2021 |
Conversion of existing garage to games room / home office. Conditons include not using it as separate accommodation, no occupation until at least 4 car parking spaces created. | 21/00465/HSE |
| Land at Falkland Farm |
Appeal in progress 24/06/2022 |
Outline planning application for the erection of 5 dwellings. The existing site is used for caravan storage. Refused at committee 6/10/21. Appeal No. 3291993. | 20/03577/OUT |
| Land at Westridge | Refused 06/10/2021 |
Outline planning application for the erection of 26 dwellings, including affordable housing, with associated public open space and landscaping, together with means of access from the A343. Refused at committee due to landscape and character impact. | 20/03524/OUT |
| Yew Tree Farmhouse Penwood |
Granted 17/03/2021 |
Outline application for the erection of one dwelling and associated access to be included. 18 conditions including those related to demolition, construction, drainage and biodiversity | 20/02950/OUT |
| Hylands Mount Road |
Refused 10/12/2020 |
Conversion of a bungalow to a house by erection of two storey front, side and rear extension to include raising of the roof and a new accesss. Refused due to size, scale, bulk, massing and design. | 20/02042/HSE |
| White Oak House Highclere Park |
Granted 06/01/2021 |
Extension to east of main house to provide new gym and internal swimming pool and wine cellar. Minor works to the central part of main house to create new family room. Erection of an external ancillary building to the external pool providing changing, storage and amenity facilities | 20/01910/HSE |
| Pirates Cottage Tubbs Lane |
Granted 10/12/2020 |
Technical Details Consent for the demolition of existing garage, and erection of 1 no. dwelling with associated access, parking and landscaping (following approval of 19/02872/PIP). Approvied with 18 conditions covering aspect such as access, construction, materials, landscape etc. | 20/01664/TDC |
| Griffons Court Mount Close |
Granted 18/01/2021 |
Application for Permission in Principle for residential development of a minimum of 1 no. dwelling and a maximum of 3 no. dwellings. For final approval the applicant must now apply for Technical Details Consent. | 20/01418/PIP |
| Grantham/Crawley House Andover Road |
Refused 09/09/2020 |
Relocation of close board fencing along west boundary of properties, inside boundary line on the A343 highway, to include entrance gates (Retrospective). Rejected by Development Control Committee. | 20/00679/RET |
| Land at Westridge |
Granted 09/09/2020 |
Outline planning permission for 2x4 bed houses, 1x3 bed house and 2x2 Bed houses on former piggery site. Granted by Development Control Committee | 20/00370/OUT |
| Cedarwood Wash Water |
Granted 23/03/2020 |
Conversion of garage to living accommodation; installation of outside swimming pool | 20/00137/HSE |
| Vine Farm Penwood Drove |
Granted 29/01/2020 |
Demolition of stables and erection of 3-bedroom bungalow. | 19/03210/FUL |
| Land at Kenmare Fox's Lane, Penwood |
Granted 28/02/2020 |
Erection of 3-bedroom chalet bungalow with associated garage and access. 16 conditions - many to ensure safety on the local highway. | 19/02999/FUL |
| Pirates Cottage Tubbs Lane |
Granted 12/12/2019 |
Application for Permission in Principle for one dwelling following demolition of existing garage. Permission in Principle granted but Technical Details must be submitted withon one year | 19/02872/PIP |
| Land at Kenmare Fox's Lane, Penwood |
Withdrawn 14/10/2019 |
Erection of 4-bedroom infill dwelling with associated parking and amenity space. See updated application above. | 19/02274/FUL |
| April Cottage Pantings Lane |
Consultation 01/10/2019 |
Erection of 1.6 m boundary fence (Retrospective) | 19/02706/RET |
| High Garden Pantings Lane |
Granted 18/12/2019 |
Erection of 1.8m high close boarded timber fence to replace existing post and rail timber fence and 2.02m timber gates (retrospective) | 19/02405/RET |
| Thorngrove School Pantings Lane |
Granted 11/03/2020 |
Creation of hardstanding forming exit driveway for Thorngrove School (retrospective). | 19/02612/FUL |
| Falkland Farm Wash Water |
Approval not needed 21/8/2019 |
Change of use of agricultural building to class B1 (light industrial and office space). | 19/01719/GPDAG |
| Hadley Cottage Star Lane |
Granted 7/6/2019 |
Erection of single storey rear extension. A condition of approval is that this extension should remain an integral part of the dwelling and shall not be sold off, sub-let or used as a separate unit of accommodation. | 19/01042/HSE |
| Yew Tree Farmhouse Penwood Drove |
Granted 29/5/2019 |
Erection of two storey side extension, internal remodelling and porch addition/alterations. | 19/00949/HSE |
| Barn at Marsden Cottage Andover Road |
Granted 3/4/2019 |
Change of use to residential and erection of detached garage and car port. Note - this is adjacent to the approved barn conversion 17/02517/FUL (see below). | 19/00320/FUL |
For 2018 and earlier applications go to our planning application archive.
Please note: Comments in quotes are taken directly from the council's decision document and do not necessarily reflect the Society's views. Further details on these plans and decisions can be found at the council's planning application portal. Use the 'Application Quick Search' box and type in the application number shown above. Most numbers are click-sensitive and will route you directly to the application on the Council's website (opens a new browser window)
Village Design Statement
A village design statement describes the characteristics of the area appreciated and valued by local people.
It provides design guidance for prospective developers and is taken into account when planning applications are decided by the local council.
The Highclere & Penwood Village Design Statement was developed in 2001-2 with full consultation of local people. What villagers value most are:
- The rural ambience - with tree-lined approaches and natural verges
- Outstanding landscape - the Parish sits almost wholly in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- Stunning views - overlooking fields and open spaces
- Woodland, leafy lanes and hedgerows - and many fine individual trees
- Quiet lanes - used by walkers, cyclists and horse-riders
- Spread-out settlements - well spaced dwellings that contribute to the rural atmosphere
- The diversity of building styles - many using local red brick
- Interesting architectural features - hung tiles, patterned brickwork, varied rooflines and details.
The design statement elaborates on these, describes the key features of the three main settlements of the parish (Highclere, Highclere Street and Penwood) and provides specific guidance for developers.
The full 24-page statement, including diagrams and photos, can be downloaded here (2.4Mb PDF file).
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