In December 2014 Taylor Wimpey submitted plans to EHDC for the development of Chalk Hill Road. Feedback from residents who visited the public consultations were quite remarkable in that they quoted a very self-confident individual from the Taylor Wimpey team who confidently predicted EHDC would refuse the plans, and that Taylor Wimpey would subsequently win on appeal.

It seems Taylor Wimpey’s confidence has eroded as they have submitted revised plans for 50 homes instead of the original 67. Under planning law amendments and revised drawings can be made to the scheme to reflect consultee feedback and comments so that developments that are not quite right or borderline have an opportunity to evolve positively and maybe seek better chances of approval.

It is important to stress that no one at EHDC has given guidance that a lower number of properties may make the scheme more likely to be approved. It remains in gap land, it is a key landscape area, and whether it is 50 homes or 67 the roads accessing the development are not best suited for the additional traffic it would bring.

We of course also have an approved Joint core strategy, a 5 year land supply and the allocations plan has been out to its first round of public consultation. This proposed site is not on the plan. The reduction in homes is probably a last-ditch effort by Taylor Wimpey to put forward something they feel has a better chance of success.

On receipt of the revised proposals EHDC will have made contact with all of the people who wrote in with comments and alerted them to the revised plans. It is important that if you wrote in before that you now do so again to confirm if the revised plans have changed any of your thoughts or if you still have the same comments.

Click on THIS LINK HERE to go to the EHDC planning portal to see details for this application. The ‘Documents’ tab has all of the drawings and if you scroll down you will see the latest information which was uploaded on the 2nd March 2015. You have until the 25th March to issue your comments to the case officer which you can also do on this link.

It is likely this application will be decided around the middle of April now.

Here is a revised copy of the site plan:

Chalk Hill Road Development Proposal.

Back in September Taylor Wimpey came forward as the developer looking to build on the land North of Chalk Hill Road and next to Jack Tricketts Field. Following a consultation, Taylor Wimpey have now put in their planning application. Their timing is, to be fair, very poor as they have seen the ‘Where to build’ consultation give a clear community view as well as the publication of the draft allocations plan which excludes this land. Taylor Wimpey are also the developer who have just seen their White Dirt Farm application rejected by East Hants. On this application they came under significant criticism for the quality and integrity of their community consultation and Taylor Wimpey again are clearly not concerned about working with the community view and looking to help us ensure new homes are built in sustainable locations.

The proposed Chalk Hill Road development is on gap land and is visible for miles in all directions, including from the South Downs National Park. It is also accessed via Highcroft Lane and then Chalk Hill Road, both of which are narrow and difficult to access with cars parked along the road. The 67 homes they are proposing will be an unwelcome addition to the open space, gap land and sky line.

Cllr Sara Schillemore, whose ward has taken the brunt of the unwanted planning applications, said “It is disappointing that Taylor Wimpey are looking at this land. The planning officers at East Hants have given Taylor Wimpey clear advice that we do not require this development to achieve our housing numbers, and with the Five Year Land Supply in place, there are better places to build where more sustainable developments can be created”.

Cllr Lynn Evans whose residents front the land said “It is very disappointing that this development is being pursued when the draft allocations plan is out for consultation and clearly identifies the Hazleton/Pyle Farm SHLAA as the allocation for 660 houses in Horndean. This is unnecessary and unwanted development.”

Nicola Stone, a local resident said that: “It is very disappointing and frustrating that the opinions of the majority of the people of Horndean are being ignored by large developers. It is an unnecessary race against the clock to approve more suitable and desirable sites. Unfortunately, if they win this and other unsuitable sites, then the beauty and desirability of this area will be destroyed forever. It is vital now that the whole community pull together to voice their concerns and show EHDC planners there are much better options and reject the outline plan.”

Vincent Gregory who is co-organising the ‘No To Chalk Hill Road’ campaign said that “Five Heads Road is very narrow and in places just single lane. The roads accessing Chalk Hill are fully parked with few passing spaces and incomplete footpaths. We know that Horndean infants and Junior school is already over subscribed and can not be extended, and this land which is important gap land provides a diverse habitat for local wildlife. We very much need EHDC to reject this application and welcome the draft local plan which specifically excludes this site”

The land is one of the SHLAA sites that was ruled OUT by EHDC when the draft allocations plan was prepared. This is now out at public consultation.

The key dates are as follows:

Consultation Start: 7th January 2015
Consultation End: 5th February 2015
Anticipated Decision Date: Early April 2015

If you would like to submit comments then there are several ways to do so. It is also worth reading more about ‘Material Planning Considerations’ before doing so to make sure the views you give are most useful to the planning officers.

Click on this link here to see the plans in full and make your comments online.

Please also let your ward Councillors know of any thoughts you might have so they can ensure they are raised with the case officers.

If you live in Murray Ward then contact Cllr Lynn Evans on lynn.evans@easthants.gov.uk
If you live in Catherington Lovedean then contact Cllr Sara Schillemore on sara.schillemore@easthants.gov.uk

Case officer is John Holmes and you can write to East Hants to make comments by sending them to: John Holmes, Senior Planning Officer, East Hampshire District Council, Penns Place, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4EX. Please quote case reference 55505 or Chalk Hill Road

Taylor Wimpey have held their community consultation on the ‘Chalk Hill Road’ plans for the land which is to the South of the field we know better as ‘Trickets Field’. To stress, Jack does NOT own this land, and the rumors that the current tenants who have horses grazing have been given notice to leave are NOT accurate. this came directly from the tenant – the ‘Horses Mouth’ so to speak…

Here are some thoughts from Cllr Lynn Evans who is the District Councillor for Murray Ward, and Chairman of the Parish Council. Lynn is most keen to hear your views on the development so she can ensure they are well represented at the planning committee when the plans are submitted. If Taylor Wimpey stick to their ‘end of October’ timescale then this planning committee would be in January or February 2015 at the earliest.

“The Public Consultation in March this year showed an over whelming community preference for Hazleton and Pyle Farms as the area to develop. This site could, if approved, accommodate all 700 houses needed and would be built out over a number of years.

Taylor Wimpey met with Parish Councillors to present their ideas and also held a Public Consultation on Tuesday 23rd September. No convincing arguments were offered as to why this land should be developed.”

The issues at Chalk Hill Road continue to be:

1) The development would be on land which forms part of the gap between Horndean and Catherington.
2) More houses would mean more traffic on already busy and congested roads.
3) Housing density on the built area would be 40 per hectare.
4) Land has been designated for “Open Space” which is of little use to the community as it slopes steeply.
5) The Catherington Lith Nature Reserve would become more isolated from surrounding wildlife affecting the ecology of the area.

The local residents are opposed to the building of 73 houses in this location and there is no good reason to build on this land and many excellent ones for not doing so.

Here is a link to the Taylor Wimpey website where they will post updates:

Taylor Wimpey Website