Reasons To Object

There are many reasons why the PPP Forum and many, many residents of Houghton, Longstock and Stockbridge believe strongly that the proposed site is not suitable for development and should be removed from the draft Local Plan: 

Environment, ecology and biodiversity

• The River Test (one of just 205 chalk stream rivers worldwide and arguably the most iconic), Stockbridge Marsh, Stockbridge Fen, and Stockbridge Down, are all Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). These protected areas support rare species, fragile habitats and vital ecological processes. Any disruption, whether through increased human activity, light pollution or habitat fragmentation risks undermining the integrity of this network and contravenes national and international conservation obligations and contradicts the NPPF Chapter 15, Paras 174–177, which provides guidance on conserving the natural environment.
• The local unique chalk stream environment is highly sensitive to disruption. Increased development risks undermining the natural drainage profile, accelerating the potential of flooding downstream and placing further pressure on settlements like Houghton. These changes would contradict National Planning Policy Framework’s (NPPF) guidance on minimising flood risk and protecting climate-sensitive landscapes. (NPPF Chapter 14 – Flood Risk, Drainage, Landform).
• The proposed development site lies on elevated ground that slopes directly toward the river. Development in this location threatens to disrupt natural drainage patterns, increasing the risk of runoff, pollution and hydrological disruption to this fragile and internationally significant watercourse
• This concern is echoed in the recent motion adopted unanimously by Test Valley Borough Councillors on 17th July 2025 to grant Rights for Rivers - including, crucially, the River Test. Amongst these rights is "the right to be free from pollution and contamination," and point 3 of the resolution commits the Council to embed river rights principles across its policies relating to planning, development, land use, water management, and biodiversity. It is imperative that local planning decisions protect the fragile chalk stream ecosystem and uphold flood resilience.
• The proposed development is sizeable and is on a hill running down to the River Test. The bottom of the site is literally yards away from the river. Pollutants and contamination resulting from run-off, spillages and inadequate drainage systems will be difficult if not impossible to prevent. Test Valley Borough Councillors should therefore apply the ‘Rights for Rivers’ motion they unanimously adopted to ensure that this site is removed from the draft Local Plan. No other site in the draft Local Plan is as close to the river as this one is.
• Development here would also result in the erosion of best and most versatile (BMV) agricultural land, raising concerns about food security and diminishing the ecological character that defines the Test Valley. (NPPF Chapter 15 – Paras 174–177).
• Development would increase flood risk not only to Stockbridge, but downstream. This contradicts the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Chapter 14.
• The Council recognises the land would reduce the Mottisfont Bats SAC (foraging habitat) but the impact of the ALAN (Artificial Light at Night) would expand that area further as well impacting the at-risk owl population.

Flooding

• The proposed development would increase the flood risk not only to Stockbridge, but downstream, which contradicts the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Chapter 14.
• Part of the site is within an area at risk of flooding from surface water; this relates to areas on the eastern boundary of high, medium and low risk. Part of the site, towards the east, is indicated to potentially be susceptible to groundwater flooding.
• The Houghton Road next to the site is already prone to flooding during times of heavy or prolonged rain. A large number of houses with associated outbuildings and hard surface driveways and access roads would drain down towards the Houghton Road and the River Test. Run-off would mean large volumes of water flowing down the hill at speed, significantly adding to risks of both flooding and pollution. Climate change is only likely to exacerbate this problem.
• Flooding of the road alongside this site will add to the traffic problems.
• It is likely that contaminated water entering the River Test having run down the site will endanger the precious ecology of the River Test - a SSSI and one of the world’s most iconic and precious chalk streams.

Landscape and character.

• The Comments in the Housing Site Selection Topic Paper Appendix 2 the Council recognise that “The site is adjacent to existing residential development to the northeast. It lies on rising land on the west side of the river valley. Part of this site was considered through the landscape sensitivity assessment, which indicated the northern part of the site to have an overall landscape sensitivity of moderate to high, with areas west of the Roman Road properties and slightly south of Danebury School up to Houghton Road being of moderate overall landscape sensitivity.” While the site may come under the new definition of a 'Grey Site', the site is large and extends significantly outside the settlement edge into the open countryside, to the west and south.
• The landscape is a major part of the character of Stockbridge and, unlike Danebury School which is quite well hidden, any significant development on this site is going to be seen and will damage this valuable and precious landscape and change it forever. No amount of proposed landscaping and tree planting can sufficiently mitigate the significant damage that will be done.
• ALAN would also impact the homes close to the site as well as across the valley due to the elevated nature of the site

Conserving and Enhancing the Historic Environment

• Stockbridge High Street is founded on a 2,000-year-old Roman chalk causeway, a feature of exceptional archaeological significance and lies within a designated Conservation Area that is celebrated for its unusually high concentration of Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings.
• Of particular concern is the potential harm to both the historic character and setting of the Conservation Area and the landscape setting of Marsh Court, a Grade I listed Arts and Crafts residence designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with Grade II* listed gardens designed by Gertrude Jekyll. This site is of national importance, not only for its architectural distinction but also for its horticultural legacy. This nationally significant heritage asset occupies a prominent position within the wider landscape setting of Stockbridge and is highly sensitive to change.
• The impact on the Houghton and Bossington conservation areas including the nearby Houghton Lodge also needs to be considered.
• The cumulative impact of development in this area risks undermining the historic integrity of these important heritage assets.

Water Supply and Water Quality

• Local water quality and supply is already under significant pressure.
• Since February 2025, some Longstock residents have been forced to supplement tap water with bottled water, due to elevated nitrate levels in the local drinking water supply - a situation that highlights the environmental stresses that the community is already facing. The prospect of a large housing development raises serious questions about the sustainability of local water infrastructure and the risk of exacerbating existing pollution.
• Extreme weather is becoming more common, whether it is heavy, prolonged rainfall or extended periods of drought. The multiple planned developments up and down the Test Valley will need a vast quantity of water and there is already considerable abstraction from the River Test. This large development will put further strain on an already stretched system.

Highways and traffic

• A development of 100 houses is calculated to create an extra 400 vehicle movements a day, adding to the existing problems of traffic flow and traffic congestion through and around Stockbridge.
• Parking in Stockbridge is already a major issue and already risks affecting tourism and local businesses.
• The traffic is likely to be significant given that there are limited job opportunities in Stockbridge itself. People living in the proposed development would, therefore, be most likely to be working elsewhere (Andover 8.5m, Winchester 10m being the closest towns). Others are likely to work in Romsey or Southampton resulting in a significant increase in traffic on the narrow Houghton Road and on an already very busy and slow Stockbridge High Street.
• There may be a need for a new bridge (wider to take more traffic).
• There has been talk of an exit onto Houghton Road (which is essentially a country lane), any such access will cause further congestion at the crossroads and could be hazardous.
• Many people living in Roman Road find it difficult walking up and down the steep hill into and from Stockbridge and already use cars even just to travel to and from Stockbridge.
• Elderly or disabled residents will not be able to travel in and out of Stockbridge and there will be considerably more car journeys even for short journeys further adding to existing congestion, parking and vehicle pollution problems.
• The bus services through Stockbridge are extremely limited.

Infrastructure Deficit

• The local infrastructure is already operating under strain:
• Water supply and drainage systems are already operating at capacity.
• There are increasing difficulties in accessing GP and hospital appointments.
• Public transport is extremely limited.
• The narrow bridge and surrounding road network cannot absorb increased traffic demand. The Houghton Road is essentially just a country lane.
• Severe parking shortages in Stockbridge already affect both residents and visitors alike.
• While Danebury School has capacity, TVBC recognises that the Primary School is already constrained
• The plan also shows building on the school playing fields requiring them to be moved to a hill which would need to be flattened at presumably considerable expense and potentially at risk from post approval variation.
• Increased development in this context would further undermine the functionality and sustainability of the local infrastructure.

Risks to Tourism and the Local Economy

Stockbridge’s High Street is a vibrant rural economy which thrives because of its independent shops and locally-owned businesses. Its prosperity is built on sustainable tourism, fly fishing on the River Test, scenic walks, cycling routes and nature-based experiences that draw visitors all-year-round. Large-scale development risks upsetting this delicate balance, endangering both the livelihoods of local traders and the community’s longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship.

Previous grounds for refusal for development on this site still stand

An application in 2014 to build on land west of what was then known as Test Valley School was refused on the following grounds:

• There was no demonstrated need to be built in the countryside.
• It had an urbanising effect on a prominent and elevated site and impacted on the wider landscape setting of Marsh Court house (Grade I Listed Building) gardens (Grade II* listed) and Stockbridge, which would have an adverse impact on the special character and setting of designated heritage assets.
• There was no legal agreement to improve highways to the detriment of both existing and future residents of the area.
• There were issues with the proposed affordable housing.
• There were issues with public open space, maintenance, etc.

The planning officer’s report repeatedly stated that it is an unsustainable form of development in the countryside. This land remains unsuitable for development.