Threat to the River Test
The River Test is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
The River Test is one of the world’s most precious chalk streams. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This is a formal conservation designation. An SSSI typically applies to an area that is of particular interest to science and to the rare species of fauna and flora it contains. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are designated by Natural England, which is responsible for protecting England’s natural environment. Designation as an SSSI gives legal protection to the most important wildlife and geological sites.
There are just 200 chalk streams in the world, and the River Test is arguably the best known and most valued of them all. The whole river is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The River Test has a rich diversity in flora and fauna: over 100 species of flowering plant have been recorded along its banks with over 200 types of invertebrates in the river. It is arguably the best and most important trout river in the world and is also important for its birdlife, with breeding species including kingfishers, little grebes and grey wagtails. For further information, look at the attached document below and look at this site: https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S2000170&SiteName=river%20test&countyCode=19&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea=
Why would this development threaten the River Test?
Of all the sites identified in the draft Local Plan by Test Valley planners, this site is the closest to the river … and it is very close. As the above photograph shows, the river is just yards away from the Houghton Road which goes into Stockbridge along the bottom of the proposed site. The proposed development is sizeable and is on a hill running down to the road and the river. Pollutants and contamination resulting from run-off and spillages and inadequate drainage systems will be difficult, if not impossible, to prevent.
The Houghton Road next to the site is already prone to flooding during times of heavy or prolonged rain. This will be significantly exacerbated if development is allowed on the site. It would mean that many houses, garages and other outbuildings, driveways and access roads would be built on the hill that drains down towards the Houghton Road and the River Test. Run-off from roofs, and hard surface driveways and roads would mean water flowing down the hill in much greater volume and at greater speed significantly adding to risks of both flooding and pollution. Climate change is only likely to exacerbate this problem.
‘Rights for Rivers’: Test Valley Borough Council has a duty to protect the river from pollution
On 17 July 2025, Test Valley Borough Councillors voted unanimously to grant Rights for Rivers in the borough 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. This reinforces the imperative for local planning decisions to protect the fragile chalk stream ecosystem and uphold flood resilience.
Test Valley Borough Councillors should therefore apply the ‘Rights for Rivers’ that they unanimously adopted to ensure that this site is removed from the draft local plan in order to protect the River Test as they have undertaken to do.
For more information about the River Test and the problems and threats of pollution and contamination of the river, you can view the website of the Pan Parish River Pollution Forum.